376 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
thus applied until the matting is about one centimeter thick. 
In a few minutes the ether has evaporated and has left an im¬ 
pervious clothing which will remain intact indefinitely. This 
dressing may then be protected with bands encircling the body 
but ordinarily it will perform its function without further atten¬ 
tion, until dressing becomes necessary, at which time it can 
readily be removed by dissolving it in ether or alcohol. The 
drainage plug of course demands daily attention but the re¬ 
maining portion of the wound need nor be disturbed until 
safely united—about the seventh or eight day, when the dress¬ 
ing is dissolved, the stitches removed and a new dressing applied. 
The sutures uniting the peritoneum and muscles are left in to 
become slowly absorbed. This simple after-care will answer 
for all animals. 
i. Gastro-intestinal Anastomosis. —This, like all intestinal 
operations, is only rendered possible by celiotomy, and can be 
performed on animals of the canine species with very good 
results ; in the bovine, the results are not so encouraging and 
in the equine species they are very uncertain. The indication 
for such interference is generally due to accidental wounds of 
the pyloric portion of the stomach, duodenum or jejunum ; or 
diseased condition of the same, such as abscesses or tumors 
( enteroncns .) 
This anastomosis can be made between the stomach and any 
part of the intestine that can be approximated without altering 
their position too much. The anastomosis is generally made 
between the duodenum or jejunum and the stomach, for it is 
necessary that as much of the intestinal tract be utilized as 
possible. 
Operation .—In the canine species the operation is compara¬ 
tively easy and simple, but in large animals the procedure is 
accompanied with many disadvantages and inconveniences. 
The incision into the abdomen may be made along the linea 
alba or on the left side of it, and large enough to make an ex¬ 
ploration of the anterior part of the cavity, and after the condi¬ 
tion has been ascertained it may be enlarged if necessary. The 
point to be connected to the stomach should be selected and 
all the contents of the intestine between it and the pylorus 
must be pushed or worked back beyond it ; an incision is then 
made into the wall of the stomach and its contents removed ; 
an incision, corresponding in size with, the one in the stomach 
is now made into the wall of the intestine. The edge of the 
incision made in the intestine (Fig. io-a) is sutured to the 
