Where you anticipate much bleeding, always endeavor, if possible, to divide the main artery with the first incision. This is by far the most humane, and therefore the safest practice. The vessel, being divided, can be taken up, and all further flow of blood thereby checked. But if the artery be left to the last, it remains to fill the smaller branches. These are of necessity frequently severed. Each, as it is cut, bleeds more or less freely; thus the hemorrhage is far greater, and the operation far more difficult, than if the main trunk had been secured at the earliest possible period.
Always tie both ends of an artery; because, though the main stream flows through that portion of the vessel nearest the heart, yet the other half, being fed by the smaller trunks, and the current having a tendency to regurgitate, a considerable quantity of the vital fluid may flow out of the mouth, which, in general opinion, has no medium of supply.
If, during an operation, you make an accidental incision into a vessel, either take it up, (which is the better way,) or cut it short off when there is a chance of its retracting and of the bleeding being thus arrested. Vessels of large size may, when requisite, be excised and tied; the vital current being afterward carried on by the dilatation of the lesser ducts.
To tie an artery it is imperative to secure the end of the vessel; this, if possible, should be accomplished with the forceps. When the mouth of the vessel is much retracted, it may be necessary to employ the knife; but that practice should be viewed only as the last resort of the proficient surgeon.
The end of the artery being fixed and drawn forth, a piece of strong silk, thrice twisted, (after the method represented in the inferior circle of the annexed illustration,) is passed over the vessel. The silk is then drawn tight, and will generally remain fixed. However, sad accidents have occurred by operators trusting to so doubtful a security; for that reason it is always advisable to make another twist, (as shown in the smaller circle of the illustration,) which will render the knot secure.
THE LOUP BY MEANS OF WHICH THE ENDS OF RTERIES ARE SECURED.
Even a vessel of the second magnitude may be obliterated, as the carotid artery or the jugular vein, without life being necessarily sacrificed. However, it is always well to spare these parts, or when either is lost to arrange so that the absence of them may entail the least possible inconvenience upon the animal. Thus, if the carotid artery be lost, place the food low down, and thereby aid the flow of blood to the head. If the jugular vein be destroyed, then put the fodder high up, that the current from the head may be facilitated.
Never, on any account, remove any portion of skin which is not involved in some fearful injury, or separated from its attachments by the action of disease.
Skin is the part of the body which is never reproduced, and even the place whence it is absent always heals slowly. However loose the skin may appear, however disproportioned it may seem after some tumor has been removed, respect every particle of it. Before the wound can heal, inflammation must set in. That process ended, the skin, under its action, will have contracted, and in the end there will be only sufficient integument to cover the part; whereas, if the slightest amount be excised, to such an extent there will for a long time remain a gaping sore.