yiCKlNO.] 



IMOPF.UX VKTEKTXArvV riJArTTCR 



[nicking. 



Many persons nro \cvv foml of elevating Wo should Imvo mentioned that, previous to 

 the tail', with an idea tliat'tho horse will carry ! casting the animal, the hair of tho tail ought 

 one that is much superior, if done so. IJut ] to have been plaited, mid tho end neatly turnt-d 

 this is not the case. If lock-jaw should make i back, and bound linn with wax-end. AVhcn 

 its appearance, immediateh' operate anew, all this has been done, tako tho nicking-knifo, 

 without restraining the blood at all, ns its loss j which is double-edged, and which makes it 

 will bo both useful and necessary in such a more convenient, and prevents the trouble of 



case. Administer large doses of opium, or, if 

 the moutii sliould bo so much closed, laudanum 

 in gruel must be given frequontly ; say, an 

 ounce at a time ; of tiie opium, four drachms. 



If it should put on a gangrenous appear- 

 ance, apply oil of turpentine to the part 

 several times a day. Hot applications be- 

 tween applying tho turpentine will also be of 

 great service. 



KICKING. 

 The practice of nicking is now almost out 



turning. Tlio mode of making tho sections 

 must be left to the discretion of tho operator. 

 Tliey should, however, always be made in tho 

 middle of a tail-bone, not at a joint, which will 

 easily be discovered by tlie prominences rising 

 at either end of tlie bone. This should be 

 carefully attended to, otherwise the most serious 

 consequences may arise. 



It is the practice with some veterinary sur- 

 geons to make a section through the integu- 

 ments only, beginning at the roots of the hair 

 on one side, and carrying it across the bellies 



of date. There is little doubt it originated from of the muscles; then doing the same on the 



the circumstance of large fine horses carrying 

 their tails ^^ tucked in,'" as it is termed, but 

 ■which tended to reduce their value, except 

 when they happened to be under excitement, 

 then thev would carry their tails erect enough. 

 "With nicking, as with castration, a favour- 

 able time of the year should be selected for it ; 

 and we should recommend the spring, when 

 the weather is not too hot or too cold ; for, in 

 cold weather, the granulating process may 

 become stopped; and, in very hot weather, 

 lock-jaw may supervene. The modes of 

 securing the horse for the operation are 

 various. The break, or trevis, was a favourite 



other side ; and, lastl}', making these sections 

 meet by a light and careful division of tlie in- 

 teguments only, on the median lines of the 

 tail. Such is not only a very cautious, but a 

 proper mode for young practitioners, and is 

 also consistent with good practice; but it is 

 apt to take up more time than older and more 

 experienced veterinarians are willing to give it. 

 The first section should not be nearer, in the 

 smallest horse, than two inches and a-half ; and 

 in full-sized animals, three, or three inches and 

 a-half, as the centre of the tail-bones may ind"- 

 cate. In mares, one section less than that in a 

 horse is admissible. The most expert operator 



mode of the old practitioners, but it is now j will, however, find it prudent, when the sec 



entirely done away with. A strong rail, or 

 leapiug-bar, across a stall, was another means ; 

 but these were used only by grooms and 

 dealers. Most veterinarians are in the habit 

 of casting the horse for this operation, and we 

 ourselves have always done so ; for the more 

 eecure and safe the horse can be made, the 

 less time is taken up in the operation, though 

 dealers are sometimes very expert at perform- 

 ing this operation standing. The more secure 

 way, however, is preferable. 



The horse being properly secured, have the 

 twitch ready to place on the nose. Have also 

 two bundles of straw or hav, and raise the all complete, the bleeding that ensues need 



tions are made, to examine them caremlly, 

 that they are all equal in depth, and that the 

 depressor-muscles have been completely di- 

 vided. 



Should any difference appear in these re- 

 spects, and should such unequal division be 

 allowed to remain, the operation will bo in- 

 complete, and the horse would, in all pro- 

 bability, carry his tail awry. Added to which, 

 any portion of the muscle being left undivided, 

 would tend to prevent the others from retract- 

 ing, and might also serve to promote a reunion 

 of them. Being satisfied that the sections are 



horse's feet, so that he may lie on his back ; 

 prop him up in this position with the hay or 

 straw, by placing a bundle on each side of him. 



not be considered of consequence, nor will it 

 show itself until the tail is relaxed. The ends 

 of the tendons must now be looked to, and, 



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