104 TREATMENT OF DISEASES 



In some more important operations the side line is resorted to ; 

 it is applicable when nicking or docking a horse, that is disposed to 

 strike behind. The side line consists in passing a hobble around 

 the pastern of one hind leg, and then carrying from a loop around 

 the neck the end of a rope, which is passed through the iron ring of 

 the hobble, and then back to the loop where it is secured ; this, 

 when properly secured, prevents the horse from kicking; sometimes 

 both hind legs are secured in this way. When castrating, or per- 

 forming any very important operation, the horse should be cast ; 

 some persons prefer to cast after the fashion of Rarey, and then se- 

 cure the animal's legs Avhen down. My plan is, to cast by means of 

 plain and simple hobbles, one of which is buckled to each leg, 

 below the fetlock ; the rope is then rove through all the rings, and 

 the ring through which the end of the rope comes last, is called the 

 main hobble, and into it, the clasp end of the rope is to be inserted ; 

 a couple of persons pull on the rope which approximates the limbs, 

 bring them under the centre of gravity, when a slight push will 

 throw the horse on his side. 



The surgeon is assisted much, when performing any important 

 operation, by SBtherizing the animal ; this renders him insensible to 

 pain, and he lies on the floor as tranquil as if he were asleep. 



OPERATIONS. 



Castration. — In the United States are a great number of persons 

 who, from long practice, have made themselves quite competent 

 in the performance of this operation, and, consequently, where the 

 services of such persons are to be obtained, the veterinary surgeon 

 is not often called upon. The most safe and successful method ever 

 practiced in this country, is by means of the caustic clams or clamps, 

 which are applied to the spermatic cord. The caustic lodges in a 

 groove cut in the centre of the internal surface of the clams. The 

 clams may be made of different kinds of wood, but it is said 

 the " elder'''' wood is most preferable, as it already contanis a groove, 

 and is quite light when compared with harder wood. The caustic 

 used in my practice, of late, is composed of one drachm of red pre- 

 cipitate, half a drachm of corrosive sublimate, and one ounce of 

 simple ointment ; these are to be well mixed ; then fill up the groove 

 in the wood with the same, and it is fit for use. 



When the clams are applied to the spermatic cord, they should be 

 brought together by means of pincers or screw forceps, so as to 

 secure complete pressure on the arteries and thus prevent after 

 bleeding. The clams may be removed about sixteen or twenty 

 hours after the operation. 



When it is suspected that the animal has, or may, become 

 the subject of scrotal hernia, the covered operation is to be 

 performed, tlien the clam is placed outside the external peritoneal 

 covering of the cord. 



Mr. Goodin, a celebrated castrator, always performed the covered 

 operation. 



I have often performed the operation by placing a ligature around 

 the cord, but I think that it is rather more painful than to apply the 

 clams. 



