456 OPERATIOXS. 



and concussion witliout risk of fracture. Horses that have undergone tho 

 operation of neurotomy more frequently meet with this accident than 

 others, because they batter their senseless feet \vith a force which, under 

 similar circumstances, pain would forbid the others from doing-. 



Fracture of the navicular bone has been sufficiently considered under 

 the article 'Navicular Joint Disease,' p. 413. 



Mr. Mayer sums up his account of the treatment of fractures in a way 

 that reflects much credit on him and the profession of which he is a mem- 

 ber. ' Let your remedies,' says he, ' be governed by those principles of 

 science, those dictates of humanity, and that sound discretion, which, 

 while they raise the moral and intellectual superiority of man, distinguish 

 the master of his profession from the bungling empiric' 



CHAPTEK XXIT. 



OPERATIONS. 



These belong more to the veterinary surgeon than to the proprietor of the 

 horse, but a short account of the manner of conducting the principal ones 

 should not be omitted. 



It is frequently necessary to bind the human patient, and in no painful 

 or dangerous operation should this be omitted. It is moi*e necessary to 

 bind the horse, who is not under the control of reason, and whose struggles 

 may not only be injurious to himself but dangerous to the operator. 



The trevis is a machine indispensable in every continental forge ; even 

 the quietest horses are there put into it to be shod. 



The side-line is a very simple and useful method of confining the horse, 

 and placing liim in sufficient subjection for the operation of docking, nick- 

 ing, and sHght firing. The long line of the hohhles, or a common cart-rope 

 with a noose £vt the end, is fastened on the pastern of the hind-leg that is 

 not to be operated on. The rope attached to it is then brought over the 

 neck and round the withers, and there tied to the portion that comes from 

 the leg. The leg may thus be draAvn so far forward that, while the hoi*se 

 evidently cannot kick -with that leg, he is disarmed of the other ; for he 

 would not have sufficient support under him if he attempted to raise it : 

 neither can he easily use his fore-legs, or, if he attempts it, one of them 

 may be lifted up, and then he becomes nearly powerless. If necessary, the 

 aid of the twitch or the barnacles may be resorted to. 



For every minor operation, and even for many that are of more ira- 

 T)ortance, this mode of restraint is sufficient, especially if the operator has 

 active and determined assistants ; and we confess that we are no friends to 

 the casting of horses, if it can possibly be prevented. When both legs are 

 included in the hobble or rope — as in another way of using the side-line — 

 the horse may appear to be more secure ; but there is greater danger of his 

 falling in his \dolent struggles during the operation. 



For castrating and severe firing, the animal must be thrown. The safety 

 of the horse and of the operator will require the use of the improved 

 hobbles, by which any leg may be released from confinement, and returned 

 to it at pleasure ; and, when the operation is ended, the whole of the legs 

 may be set at liberty at once without danger. The method of putting the 

 legs as closely together as possible before the pull — the necessity of the 

 assistants all pulling together — and the power which one man standing at 



