364- i hi; MODERN HOR9E DOCTOR. 



more exposed to injury than the poll. Of the two diseases, fis- 

 tula is the more formidable ; for the sinuses often burrow deep 

 between the shoulder blade and spinous processes, in various 

 directions, so that it becomes botli difficult and dangerous to 

 search for them. For the treatment of fistula the reader is re- 

 ferred to Poll Evil 



DOCKING. 



Fashion and convenience seem to require that horses must 

 submit to have their caudal appendages shortened. Yet that 

 fashion which condemns a poor uncomplaining brute to torture 

 merely for the caprice of his owner is to be deplored, especially 

 when performed after the horrid fashion of some who seem to 

 pay no regard to the feelings of the subject, while mangling and 

 searing sensitive tissues that are as susceptible to pain as those 

 in our race. It is useless, however, for the author to offer any 

 arguments against a practice so long established ; he, therefore, 

 proposes to point out the best means of docking. 



The animal should be cast, and brought under the influence of 

 chloroform ; an assistant then depresses the tail into its natural 

 position ; the point of amputation having been selected, the oper- 

 ator feels for a joint or articulation, just posterior to which he 

 commences a circular incision, carrying the knife right round the 

 tail to the point of commencement, cutting down to the fascia. 

 The integuments are then to be forcibly drawn upwards, while 

 the operator disarticulates the joint by making an incision right 

 through it. The coccygeal arteries are to be drawn out with a 

 pair of forceps, and secured by ligature. The integuments, in- 

 stead of being retracted above the lower end of the bone, are now 

 below it, and thus can be made to protect it from injuries. Two 

 or three stitches are now needed to approximate the edges of the 

 wound, and the operation is finished, without much loss of blood, 

 and with little if any pain to our subject. Here the red-hot iron 

 and guillotine, — a docking machine always puts us in mind of 

 one, — are dispensed with, to the honor of our calling and benefit 

 of our noble patient. The after treatment is very simple ; cold 

 water, or some tincture of aloes, will complete the cure. If they 

 should not, owing to profuse suppuration, use pyroligneous acid, 

 and give a dose of medicine. 



