THE MANNER OF USING THE FIXED SETON NEEDLE.
A second person pushes the wound together, and, when the point of the needle appears, threads it with a piece of zinc wire or soft string. The needle is then retracted, and released from the wire or string, whereby a suture is left in the wound.
So many sutures as may be necessary are thus inserted—in small wounds, these being about two inches asunder, but in larger injuries, three inches apart. All are duly placed before any are tied; the whole being ready, the wound is forced together by an assistant, while the strings are fastened—care being exercised not to bring any of them actually tight, lest the motion of the body or the swelling of the part should drag the sutures through the flesh and thereby tear them out.
DIAGRAM OF SUTURES WHEN TIED AND
LEFT IN A WOUND.
A wound thus united may possibly heal by first intention, or the divided parts, when brought together, may join, and give no further trouble to the surgical attendant.
Union by first intention is, however, somewhat rare in the horse; and should not that take place, suppuration will be established. So soon as the pus flows freely forth, and the sutures appear to tighten or drag, cut them out by snipping the twine; but allow the strings to loosen before you attempt their withdrawal.
If this is not done, the sutures will speedily find an exit for themselves by causing the flesh against which the tension acts to be absorbed; thus the original injury will be rendered more complicated, and the ultimate blemish must be altogether greater.
All that is required after the establishment of suppuration is to bathe the part with the solution of chloride of zinc, one grain to the ounce of water. This lotion will suppress any fetor, and gently stimulate the healing process, as well as prevent the sprouting of fungoid granulations; it is necessary also to attend strictly to the directions laid down for feeding during the curing of wounds.
