76 FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL 



to back instead of encircling the neck. The 

 collar seat must be free from obstacles because 

 the incision crosses it and besides a rope en- 

 circling the base of the neck would interfere 

 with making the lateral apertures for drainage. 

 A rope whose collar is large enough to drop 

 under the sternum while its backward part will 

 rest in the middle of the back is best adapted 

 for the purj)ose, as it leaves the withers unob- 

 structed. The two free ends of the rope en- 

 circle the pasterns of the hind legs and then 

 pass forward into the collar. When the horse is 

 down the hind legs are drawn into a securely 

 flexed position. The fore legs are tied securely, 

 flexed with straps or preferably with cords. 

 Thus secured the body of the anesthetized or 

 narcotized subject can be rolled into the ventral 

 position where it can be blocked with sacks or 

 held by several assistants. The operator stand- 

 ing on the right side is now in a splendid posi- 

 tion to proceed. 



On the operating table which brings the body 

 up to a position comfortable enough to invade 

 the withers mesially there is the objection that 

 the under side is not very accessible for making 

 the lateral apertures. Although this objection 

 can be overcome by rolling the liead and neck 

 downward and backward there is by no means 

 the same opportunity to perforate the cervical 



