346 MODERN FARRIER. 



tween the side of the gullet and the obstruction, 

 without this being removed. Several intelligent 

 farmers have therefore laid aside the use of the rope, 

 and have contrived an instrument similar to the 

 probang employed by surgeons. 



Mr. Alexander, and ingenious farmer in Tweed- 

 dale, has invented a useful instrument of this kind, 

 which is described as follows : 



Take three small canes, of the thickness of the 

 little finger, or thereabouts, of the length of 5^ feet, 

 that they may reach down the throat, and into the 

 stomach of the largest ox. These canes are to be 

 bound together bj^ strong smooth twine rolled 

 tightly about them (the circles of the twine touch- 

 ing each other) from top to bottom. Bees' wax is 

 then to be rubbed along the twine, to fill up any 

 inequalities, and the whole rod is to be well oiled 

 before it is used. There is a round knob at each 

 end, the larger 2j- inches in diameter for larger cat- 

 tle ; the other less for lesser cattle. These knobs 

 are formed of the twine rolled hard, and v/hen 

 formed may be strengthened in their position, by 

 being sewed by means of a shoemaker's awl or hrog-, 

 and a \yaxed bristled thread, such as they employ. 

 The thread knobs are made tapering up the cane^s 

 from their broad extremity : but it must be re- 

 marked, that the surface of tiiis extremity is not 

 rounded like a clue, but hollowed into the form of a 

 cup. The intention of this hollowed form is to 

 make certain of catching hold of the obstructing 

 body ; as, if the knob was round, it might pass by 

 it. After the knobs are formed, they are covered 

 with soft leather, which by its flexibility will adapt 

 itself to the hollow end of the knob as soon as it 

 reaches an obstacle. The knobs must be securely 

 fixed to the canes, for if they fall off, tliey leave an 

 indigestible substance in the stomach. Such is ^Ir. 

 Alexander's probang, the only obvious improvement 

 on which is, to make the knobs of sponge, firmly 



