Fractures of the skull are not common injuries amongst dogs, and when they do occur, call for special skill in treatment. If the broken ends of a bone are not accurately adjusted, a deformed, or false, union results, more or less spoiling the utility of the animal. As a rule, considerable swelling comes on after fracture of the long bones, especially of the forearm, therefore an effort must be made to subdue this by bathing freely with warm water. Well-padded splints should be used--if applicable--and applied directly to the skin, being retained in position by a bandage. If the bandage is too tightly applied, the circulation to the part will be interfered with, probably destroying the vitality of it. Coldness and numbness are the chief signs of this. Leather, wood, gutta-percha, starch, egg and gum, etc., are all used as supports to a broken limb. A plaster bandage is very useful. In the case of a valuable dog, it is advisable to consult a qualified veterinary practitioner. Rest is of course an indispensable factor in the treatment of both fractures and dislocations. When a dislocation accompanies a fracture, or wound and fracture, at a joint, the animal should be destroyed, as the results of surgery under these conditions is not often satisfactory. CHAPTER XXVI =Minor Operations= DOCKING--SETONING--ENEMAS--FOMENTATIONS--BLISTERING--TUMOURS AND WARTS DOCKING Such varieties as Fox, Airedale, Irish Terriers, Spaniels, etc., require to have their tails shortened, and this should be done when the puppies are, say, a couple or three weeks old. An old, but rather revolting custom is that of biting off the requisite portion. A sharp pair of serrated scissors, or a chisel, will do the work satisfactorily, and nothing should be done to the cut end, beyond allowing the healing to follow its natural course. SETONING Setons and rowels are not used in the present day so much as in times gone by, nevertheless, when employed with discretion, are of service. At one time setons were largely used for insertion into the poll when a dog had fits, especially during distemper. In the author's opinion they are injurious for this purpose, but as a counter-irritant in lung and bronchial complaints, good often results from their employment. Many local swellings can be dispersed through the insertion of either a set-on or a rowel. Tape, horse-hair, tow, or a circular piece of leather wrapped in tow, are the issues used. If a seton, the skin must be snipped at the inlet and outlet; the needle threaded and passed along under the skin (no deeper as a rule) to the point of exit, and the tape fastened off. It is usual to smear the tape with some stimulating substance, such as resin or turpentine ointment, in order to excite a speedy local inflammation. The tape must be moved (not removed) daily, kept clean, and smeared with the ointment twice weekly. CLYSTERS OR ENEMAS (LAVEMENTS)