48 



and I saw absolutely no change on him, in any way. He fed quite as well, and 

 he Lost nothing in condition; but seemed to thrive, as formerly, to the full. At 

 the end of one day and night, the appearance of the horns (parts left) was as if 

 it had been done months ago. The bull's appearance is much improved on 

 account of his having had bad horns. ' It took away that distinctive short horn 

 character, however." 



Tait Butler, Veterinarian, Mississippi Station: " To justify such an opera- 

 tion either the comfort of the animal or its value t'> man must be enhanced. If 

 a number of animals are to be kept together in an mclosure of small dimensions, 

 ■(a shed for instance,) these two objects are obtained by dehorning and, therefore, 

 the operation is not cruelty if properly performed. Under other conditions 

 it may be termed cruelty. I think the operation cannot be performed without 

 producing considerable pain for the short period of from ten to twenty seconds for 

 each horn. After that space of time the pain is certainly slight. Animals begin 

 eating immediate!}* after the operation, and the secretion of milk is rarely 

 influenced to any appreciable extent. However, the manner in which the opera- 

 tion is performed has something to do with the amount of pain experienced by 

 the animal. The pain, while it lasts, is as severe as that produced by castration, 

 but it is not so long in duration, nor fraught with such serious consequences as 

 evidenced by the absence of serious sequelae. The structures are sensitive, 

 but not especially so when the incision made by the saw is through the frontal 

 bone. If made through the horn proper, the sensation is equally as great, and 

 owing to the low recuperative powers of the part, the wound does not heal 

 rapidlv. If through the matrix of the horn the pain appears to be more severe. 

 In other words, if the incision is made through the frontal bone so that con- 

 siderable of the skin surrounding the horn — say a ring from half an inch to one 

 inch wide — is taken off with the horn, the wound heals more quickly and the 

 pain is less severe. To sum up, when the operation is properly performed, and 

 with proper motives I deem it not only not cruelty, but also humane." 



A. D. Stevenson, New Hampton, Mo. : " I have been a practical dehorner 

 for six years, and during that time have dehorned nearly eight thousand head of 

 cattle — all ages and sizes from four months old to twenty-five years — and never 

 lost one by the operation. I prefer to do the work from six months old to one 

 year. They suffer some while the operation is being performed, but it does not 

 last long. They will bleed but very little if they are not hot, and the operation 

 is performed right. Have known of some dying that were operated upon when 

 very hot and not properly done. It will take from six to eight weeks for the 

 wound to heal. The skull grows up sound and solid — will skin over and hair out 

 if properly done. Once healed the head is as sound as any other part. I prefer 

 the saw and I do not use any dressing. There is a proper place to take every 

 horn off at. On cattle three years old and older, take off as little skin with the 

 horn as possible, but be sure you cut on the skin all the way round. On younger 

 cattle, take from a quarter of an inch to a half, according to age. They are worth 

 from two to five dollars per head more atter dehorning. Would rather dehorn at 

 six months old than disbud, as I think there is less pain and better work. If you 

 dehorn any, dehorn all. Afterwards, they feed better, water better, ship better 

 look better, fatten better, everything better and nothing worse. I consider the 

 suffering is nothing when compared with the benefit." 



W. T. Gardner, farmer, St. Louis Station, Quebec : "As I have assisted in 

 dehorning cattle and also in handling them afterwards, [ respectfully submit my 

 candid opinion on the subject as briefly as possible. I was opposed to it till I saw 



