s and elastic fibers, and its degree
depends on the extent, direction, and nature of the cut. This gaping
will hinder the healing process so that it must be overcome by bringing
the edges together by some sort of sutures or pins or by a bandage
applied from below upward. As suture material, ordinary cotton thread is
good, if well sterilized, as are also horsehair, catgut, silk, and
various kinds of wire. If the suture is made too tight the subsequent
swelling may cause the stitch to tear out. In order to make a firm
suture the depth of the stitch should be the same as the distance the
stitch is from the edge of the wound. The deeper the suture the more
tissue is embraced and the fewer the number of stitches required. In
tying a suture the square or reef knot should be used. Closure of wounds
by means of adhesive plaster, collodion, and metal clamps is not
practiced to any great extent in veterinary practice.

PROCESS OF HEALING.

In those cases where perfect stoppage of bleeding, perfect coaptation of
the edges of the wound, and perfect cleanliness are obtained, healing
occurs within three days, without the formation of granulations, pus, or
proud flesh, by what is termed first intention. If wounds do not heal in
this manner they will gap somewhat and become warm and painful. Healing
then occurs by granulation or suppuration, which is termed healing by
second intention. The sides of the wound become covered with granulation
tissue which may fill the wound and sometimes overlap the lips, forming
a fungoid growth called proud flesh. Under favorable conditions the
edges of the wound appear to grow together by the end of the first week,
and the whole surface gradually becomes dry, and finally covered with
pigmented skin, when the wound is healed. The cause of pus formation in
wounds is usually the presence of germs. For this reason the utmost care
should be adopted to keep clean wounds aseptic, or free from germs, and
to make unclean wounds antiseptic by using antiseptic fluids to kill the
microbes present in the wound. The less the injurious action of this
fluid on the wound and the greater its power to kill germs, the more
valuable it becomes. All antiseptics are not equally destructive, and
some germs are more susceptible to one antiseptic than to another. The
most important are (1) bichlorid of mercury, which is to be preferred on
horses. It becomes weakened in its action if placed in a wooden pail or
on an oily or g