l6o RESTRAINT OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



foundation of most of the objectionable features of the equine 

 operating table, but these have to a large extent been eliminated 

 in the successful table of today. 



3. Ease of Operation. — A successful table never requires 

 over three or four men to operate it^ — even when handling a 

 large and strong horse. If more assistants are required, some- 

 thing is wrong, either with the table or the operator. How- 

 ever, as a general rule, we should beware of the tables that 

 "can be lowered to the horizontal position by a small boy," as 

 it is liable to require the combined strength of two or more 

 full grown men to put the table again in the upright position 

 and the animal onto its feet. A table should possess speed as 

 well as strength. 



4. Thoroughness of Restraint. — A table should be so con- 

 structed and equipped that the restraint is thorough. This 

 places the operator in perfect control of his patient, which is 

 in itself a decided advantage. 



5. Safety to the Patient. — A successful table should possess 

 logical, safe and efficient means of placing the patient on the 

 table as well as the same advantages for releasing it from the 

 table. The best table is that one which reduces the danger in 

 this respect to the smallest possible minimum. 



f). Accessibility of the Patient, Especially the Field of Op- 

 eration. — Tables should be so constructed that there is a min- 

 imum amount of obstruction between the surgeon and the oper- 

 ative field. The hinderance in this respect should be reduced 

 as much as possible. This can be and is done by special table- 

 top construction in the shape of "cut out" or removable center, 

 removable head piece, cut out or indented sides, etc. 



7. Antisepsis and Asepsis. — The table should be so con- 

 structed that its thorough cleansing and disinfection, when nec- 

 essary, is possible. Sanitation is an important point of excel- 

 lence in favor of any table. 



8. Special Positions. — The time has come when special posi- 

 tions for special operations are necessary. A table should be 

 so constructed that it affords the surgeon the widest possible 

 range of means and methods of restraining the animal in special 

 positions. 



