194 
W. J. COATES. 
method it seems that ligation will receive more attention and 
trial. 
The advisability of the use of the elastic ligature depends more 
or less upon the situation of the tumor, and as a consequence the 
dangers from excessive hemorrhage are to be taken into consider¬ 
ation. 
If the tumor is so situated that dangerous hemorrhage can be 
controlled either by compression or some other means, it would 
he practicable to use the knife, because there is less time lost than 
with either caustic or ligature, and then too the animal suffers 
less than if ligation be adopted for its removal. If, however, the 
tumor is located so that hemorrhage is hard to control, the better 
mode of operation is to use the elastic ligature, especially if large 
and pedunculated. The result of such application is that within a 
short time, the tumor drops off, leaving a granulated surface 
which is as clearly cut as if by the knife, and which readily heals, 
any portion of the tumor remaining being easily sloughed off 
with caustics, the annoyance of hemorrhage being entirely done 
away with. 
The elastic ligature is easily applied, requires but a few 
moments, and the after treatment nothing but leaving alone until 
it has accomplished the desired results. 
Caustics are agents which destroy living tissues by virtue of 
their chemical affinity for one or more of its constituents, and are 
chiefly used to remove parts so much diseased as to be worthless 
or injurious, or to destroy heterologous growths, but where prac¬ 
ticable the knife is preferable for this purpose. They also differ 
greatly in regard to the length of time necessary for the healing 
of the sore which results from their use; thus some produce a 
sore which never heals, while others are remarkable for the readi¬ 
ness with which they heal. In those which are tardy to heal the 
corrosive action of the caustic extends deeply into the subjacent 
and adjoining structures, and should be used with care lest ex¬ 
tensive damage be done. Some caustics are good antiseptics and 
produce a slough, which eschar separates in from a few to many 
davs. 
•/ 
Ligatures act by cutting off the blood supply, and at the same 
