USE OF THE ELASTIC LIGATURE. 
193 
the apoplectic form or runs its ordinary course .—In the first 
case there are never any external localizations \ the death of the 
patient is too rapid to give them time to develop themselves. 
We believe these are the most essential general characters of 
the disease succinctly gathered, as far as its nature and coutagium 
are concerned. Further on we will take occasion to return to 
the etiology; but before this we have to consider concisely the 
external symptoms of the disease, under its most common forms. 
We shall complete this with a short expose of the principal path¬ 
ological alterations of the disease. 
(To be continued.) 
THE USE OF THE ELASTIC LIGATURE IN VETER¬ 
INARY SURGERY. 
By W. J. Coates, D.V.S. 
Until within a comparatively short time the knife has 
generally been the means which the practitioners of veterinary 
medicine have employed for the removal of tumors, and this lias 
been preferred by them rather than the employment of the 
elastic ligature. 
The use of the elastic ligature is of comparative!}' late date, and 
while to its use some objections may be found, yet its general 
action is so benign and its after care rendered so easy, that it 
would seem that when this method can be employed no other 
would be considered. 
There attends the application of an elastic ligature two or 
three conditions which may or may not show themselves; among 
these foetor from decay of the tumor is oftentimes a very dis- 
agreable accompaniment due to the necrosed material of the tu¬ 
mor and the liability to the formation and absorption of the septic 
matter from the decomposing material. Caustics are often pre¬ 
ferred to ligatures, especially where there are small growths, 
because of the antiseptic properties which a great many of them 
possess, but when we begin to consider the pro and con of each 
