AMPUTATION OF THE TAIL. 89 



hair away for a space of 3 to 4 cm. around the tail, have an 

 assistant hold it horizontally, stand at the side, behind the 

 left leg and apply the docking shears in such a way that the 

 clipped portion of the dock rests in the semi-circular depres- 

 sion in the shears. By quick and powerful closing of the 

 handles of the docking shears cut, if possible, between two 

 caudal vertebrae at one stroke through the entire organ. 

 Grasp the stump of the tail with the left hand and press the 

 red-hot ring iron against the parts between the skin and 

 vertebrae for from ten to twenty seconds in order to stop the 

 hemorrhage so that a dry and firm necrotic scab covers the 

 wound surface. In cattle and dogs the tail is amputated in 

 a similar manner between two vertebrae ; a straight knife 

 will answer for operating instrument. Hemorrhage is like- 

 wise most promptly controlled by cautery. legating the 

 arteries and applying a bandage is more aesthetic. 



II. Amputation with the chisel. Prepare for the operation 

 in the same manner as in I. Have an assistant hold a block 

 of wood against the ventral surface of the tail at the point 

 for amputation. Place the chisel on the dorsal surface of 

 the tail at the point desired, with its convex side directed 

 towards the base of the organ, and with a vigorous blow 

 with the mallet drive the chisel through it against the 

 wooden block held below. In cases of extensive melanosis 

 the chisel may be far too narrow to cut off the entire organ 

 at one blow in which case the instrument is still to be placed 

 centrally and driven through the caudal vertebrae and the 

 lateral parts may then be severed with a scalpel. There is 

 now left a triangular wound, the vertebra constituting the 

 apex. Ligate any visible vessels and draw the lateral flaps 

 together on the median line by means of strong silk sutures 

 passed through the two flaps at their thickest parts and 

 unite the edges of the wound by frequent interrupted sutures. 

 Apply antiseptics and remove the bandage. This operation 

 is preferable in point of blemish and sensibility of the stump 

 to I. 



