THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 177 



and feet with a side line, so that the practitioner may 

 operate with safety to himself, the tail must be placed 

 between the docking-shears, and at one steady stroke 

 the lower part should be dissevered from the upper, 

 and the operation is performed. Blood will naturally 

 flow, and this in some degree is beneficial, but after a 

 short time it must be stopped, and this is done by the 

 application of a hot iron to the stump. The iron is 

 made for all amputations of the same kind, with a hole 

 in the centre, as it is dangerous to sear the bone, and 

 a dull red heat is quite sufficient to stop the hemorr- 

 hage. Some persons use other methods, but many 

 of them are cruel and unnecessary ; a mild application 

 of the cauteiy being not only the best but speediest in 

 its effects. The use of rosin with the cautery tends 

 oftentimes to produce inflammation, and is better not 

 applied. Farmers sometimes dock with a large and 

 sharp knife and mallet, but it must be observed that 

 the operation should always be performed at one stroke, 

 as the quicker it is done the less pain is Mt by the 

 animal. It is a practice in the country to dock colts 

 when very young, at times a few days after they are 

 dropped; and this doubtless is the safest period to 

 operate on them, as none ever die through the ampu- 

 tation at that early age. Should the animal after 

 docking get a lock-jaw, which, however, oftener fol- 

 lows the cruelties attendant on the operation than the 

 amputation itself, it will be necessary to try another 

 joint. 



Nicking 



Is another operation Avhich fashion has made very 

 necessary in some cases. Care is required in perform- 



