AMPUTATIONS. 277 



Fig. 291.— Charlier'a Method of Amputation of Ilorns in a Calf. 2d Step. 



the horn removed. The hemorrhage is controlled with a com- 

 pressive bandage or other hemostatic, and antiseptic dressing 

 applied. The wound generally heals rapidly and without compli- 

 cations. 



Amputation of the Tail. 



For some unexplainable reason the term "docking" has been 

 apphed to this operation, which is simply the removal of some of 

 the vertebrae composing the caudal aj)pendix. It is one of the 

 most peculiar among the operations of fashion, although, of 

 course, under some special conditions incident to all animals, it is 

 also sometimes performed as an operation of genuine beneficent 

 surgery. This may be the case, for example, when the tail is abnor- 

 mally so long and hea\ry as to interfere with the usefulness and 

 comfort of the animal, or when, it becomes the seat of disease and 

 becomes affected with caries or necrosis, or fistulous tracts, or af- 

 fections of the skin. In some instances, also, this curtailing oper- 

 ation does constitute a true surgico-therapeutical means of obtain- 

 ing a local bleeding. 



Docking, which is of English origin, is now performed all over 

 the world, and has given rise to a great deal of controversy upon 

 the question of its propriety. "Whether it is an act of inexcusable 

 cruelty or not, it is not at present our province to decide, but from a 

 surgical point of view we feel that it is due to truth to say that we 

 are satisfied that a gx^eat deal of what has been said in opposition 

 to the operation results, from the various and, too often, bimgling 



