is is an ideal condition which, although not always possible in animal
surgery, is highly important in connection with the mechanical details of
all surgical operations in proportion to the nature and seriousness of the
same.

Aseptic surgery is considered to be the performance of operations with
sterile instruments with the hands of the operator and the site of
operation being rendered as nearly sterile as possible, and the wound
treated during operation with sterile solutions and protected following the
operation with sterile bandage material. In other words, it is the
preservation of the highest degree of cleanliness in connection with
operations.

Local or general anesthesia should be resorted to in painful and serious
surgical operations, as operations upon all living creatures should be
humanely performed and all unnecessary pain and suffering avoided.
Anesthesia is necessary where absolute immobility of the patient is
essential and where entire muscular relaxation is indispensable. The
anesthetic condition is also favorable for the adjustment of displaced
organs.

Large animals have to be cast and secured before an anesthetic is
administered. For complete anesthesia inhalations of chloroform are
generally employed; sometimes of both ether and chloroform. The quantity of
chloroform required to produce insensibility to external impressions varies
much in different cases and must be regulated, as well as the admixture of
air, by a competent assistant.

If the probability of the success of an operation is remote and the animal
is in healthy physical condition, so that its flesh is good for human food,
it is more advisable to butcher the animal than to attempt a surgical
operation that offers little encouragement to the owner. The best judgment
has to be exercised in determining a matter of this kind, for no animal
suffering from inflammation or that is in a feverish condition is fit for
human food.

All cases of major operative surgery require the skill and dexterity of the
experienced veterinary surgeon, and no one else should attempt such an
operation, for unnecessary suffering must be prevented. Nevertheless, the
more knowledge and understanding an owner of animals has of the principles
of surgical operations and manipulations, the better for all concerned. In
the first place, such an owner will appreciate more fully the skill of the
qualified veterinarian, and, in the second place, he will be the better
pre