The Common Farm Operations. 



201 



hair is then drawn over the batting and fine string (par- 

 cel) tied around the poll, thus holding the batting in 

 place. Calves may be dehorned by caustics, -of which 

 several varieties are on the market; a cheaper method, 

 just as good, is to buy caustic potash in the stick form at 

 the drug store. It will be necessary to wrap cloth about 

 it when using or the fingers will also be cauterized, it is 

 applied around the base of the horns, just where they 

 join the skin. 



Tapping the first stomach or paunch is performed in 

 cattle and sheep when badly bloated, the instrument 

 used being known as the trocar, a pointed rod, and the 



THE TROCAR AND CANULA AND BULL, PUNCH. 



canula, a hollow tube; it can also be used for ringing 

 bulls. The operation is performed in the upper left flank 

 at a point equidistant from the point of the hip, the last 

 rib and the bones of the loin, the instrument being ap- 

 plied to the point described, is given a sharp tap and 

 pushed in its full length, the trocar withdrawn, the gas 

 then rushes out of the canula, which may be left in for 

 five or ten minutes. The paunch is the organ tapped in 

 cattle and sheep; the tapping of horses should be left to 

 the veterinarian. Bumenotoiny is an extension of this 



