78 FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL 



muscles as when the subject is tied in ropes and 

 rolled into the ventral position. 



histruments Required. — A good strong and 

 well sharpened scalpel; a probe pointed 

 bistoury, two large tumor forceps, an assort- 

 ment of hemostats, a drainage tube inserter, 

 a perforated rubber drainage hose, a large 

 needle threaded with strong material. There 

 will be needed in addition to the usual basins 

 for antiseptics, a separate basin containing an 

 abundance of oakum, which is to be used for 

 packing the cavity immediately after the op- 

 eration has been completed. We use clean 

 oakum soaked in a strong solution of mercuric 

 chlorid for this purpose and with this we place 

 the threaded needle to prevent its thread from 

 becoming entangled among the instruments 

 while operating. 



A yard of muslin or burlap will also be 

 needed to cover the withers as a protection 

 against soiling after the patient is returned to 

 the stable. 



Tech7iic. — Standing on the side of the 

 patient now rolled in the ventral position, 

 facing toward its head, the operator plunges 

 the scalpel deeply into the middle of the neck 

 at a point varying from six inches to twelve 

 inches in front of the crest of the withers, and 

 then draws it backward as far as the crest — the 



