3;j2 manual of modeks farrierv. 



second one is seldom deep. Any of the fibres which may 

 reach across the incision must be cut off with a pair of 

 curved scissors. Each incision must now be filled with 

 pledgets of tow, and inserted deeply into the Avounds ; and 

 it must be distinctly ascertained whether the muscles are 

 cut uniformly on each side, otherwise the animal Avill carry 

 its tail awry. They must be secured by a bandage, but it 

 must not be made too tight, as l3ad consequences are likely 

 to follow where this is done. Indeed, if not loosened in the 

 course of two or three hours, intense inflammation and 

 swelling will ensue, and in all probability death may follow. 

 In about twenty-four hours after the operation, the bandage 

 may be tlirown aside and the wounds kept clean, which is 

 all that will be required. 



The tail must be afterwards kept bent back for some 

 weeks until the wounds are healed ; because if allowed to 

 hang down, the edges of the cuts would come in contact 

 and soon reunite again. This is accomplished by means of 

 a cord from one to two feet in length, which is attached to 

 the hair at the point of the tail, and this is affixed to 

 another divided cord, each division passing over a pulley on 

 either side of the back of the stall. To each extremity a 

 weight is suspended, sufficient to keep the cuts of the tail 

 open to the extent required ; but it is an act of cruelty to hang 

 too heavy weights to these, as the smallest quantity beyond 

 Avhat is necessary inflicts great pain on the animal. Some 

 persons do not use pulleys at all, but by keeping a slight girth 

 on the horse, attach a cord to the tail and pull it backwards. 

 However, whether the pulleys or sim|)le cord are made use 

 of, the tail must be relieved from the weight once or twice 

 a day, and the horse exercised. Ten days or a fortnight 

 will be required to complete the operation, as if too soon re- 

 moved, the desired elevation of the tail may not be effected. 



