The Common Farm Operations. 199 



deformity of the part, which can be moved in unnatural 

 directions, great pain, fever, and the grating (crepitus) 

 of the ends of the bones together. Fracture of the tibia 

 (bone of the lower thigh) sometimes occurs without dis- 

 placement, being held in place by the strong periosteum. 

 Fractures in old horses are always dangerous, in younger 

 horses there is possibility of repair, if given proper treat- 

 ment and nursing; fractures of the hind legs are more 

 serious than those of the fore ones, in the former if above 

 the hock, unless in very young animals, are usually not 

 worth treating. Surgical operations are better avoided 

 if possible during fly time or in animals far advanced in 

 pregnancy. 



Dehorning is a surgical operation usually performed 

 on cattle, by which they are rendered more tame, and 

 consequently more easily handled. My experience is 

 that if properly done bad results are very few; cattle 

 will often go right to eating; some cows will not even 

 show any appreciable shrinkage in their milk; for the 

 control of bulls this operation is indispensable. The 

 operation is best performed during cool weather, so as 

 to avoid flies, during the period from October until 

 April; best results are obtained in yearling and two-year- 

 old cattle. The instruments in general use are the clip- 

 pers or saw; I prefer the former as being handier, call- 

 ing for less restraint of the animal, and if kept in good 

 shape, well-oiled and sharp, do just as good work, only 

 in a great deal less time. Bleeding from the operation is 

 rarely serious; in heavy milking cows it may sometimes 

 need attention. 



