DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
215 
of the operation ; but if positive results are required the best 
and surest methods should always be adopted. 
Susceptibility to infection must be given due considera¬ 
tion, for there are various conditions, such as gastro-intestinal 
catarrh, chronic enteritis, tumors, tuberculosis, abscesses near 
the seat of operation, which may render the surgical wound 
susceptible to infection by reducing the vitality of the tissues, 
and thus making a favorable soil for septic bacteria, which can 
be introduced either by primary or secondary infection. In 
such cases the greatest care must be taken in making the sut¬ 
ures, and also to prevent extraneous and autoinfection, which 
usually bring about an undesirable state of affairs, if not warded 
off by all possible precautions, and if the proper sutures are not 
selected and correctly applied. Dexterity and rapidity in oper¬ 
ating is conducive, but in such cases, there are other achieve¬ 
ments that are more desirable. “ It is important to be a dex¬ 
trous operator, but it is more important to be a successful sur¬ 
geon.” 
The power of endurance. In this connection there are a 
variety of things to be taken into consideration, and among the 
most important is the power or ability of the patient to with¬ 
stand shock, which, however, seldom causes death without re¬ 
action, but its severity following such operation depends greatly 
upon the constitution of patient. An animal may appear 
strong, robust and vigorous before the operation, but his con¬ 
dition may be treacherous, due to his possession of a certain 
amount of tolerance or endurance without the ability to stand 
additional strain and in such an instance is susceptible to consti¬ 
tutional disturbances following the operation. 
The clinical picture which shock produces, following such 
conditions, is marked by a cold, clammy sweat; pale visible 
mucous membrane, subnormal temperature, 97° to 98° F. (peri- 
psyxis), weak, imperceptible, thread-like pulse, sunken eyes, 
and a weird look. The course is usually typical, marked with 
uneasiness and restlessness (dysphoria), loss of coordination in 
walking (abasia) and standing (astasia), which is generally 
progressive, standing becomes difficult (dystasia), walking al¬ 
most impossible (dysbasia), the pulse becomes weaker and 
weaker with now and then a pause, which is an indicator of 
death, and is soon followed by enecation. 
The power of endurance is also reduced by pathological 
conditions, and organic diseases which gradually lower the vi¬ 
tality of animals. Although it is seldom necessary for a veter- 
