360 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 



loosen the bandages, or cut them through on the back part of 

 the tail By neglecting this precaution, a serious and even fatal 

 inflammation ha's taken place. In about three days matter will 

 form, and then the bandages will fall off. They must on no 

 account be forced off; but the loose ends may be cut off with 

 scissors. A large gaping wound will then ajipear, but it re- 

 quires no kind of dressing, and is generally completely filled up, 

 and sometimes cicatrizcd'in about sixteen days, or three weeks. 

 About the third or fourth day after nicking, the weight employed 

 to keep the tail up should be increased to six or seven pounds ; 

 and the transverse line upon which the pulley runs may be 

 placed a little further back, so as to bring the tail a little oyer 

 the back. After a week, the horse may be led out for exercise, 

 and if he carries his tail on one side, the pulley on the trans- 

 verse line should be so confined as to draw the tail in a contrary 

 direction, for a sufficient time to make him carry it straight. 

 The time of keeping the horse in the pulley is from three weeks 

 to a month. 



[This cruel and unnecessary operation has now gone into 

 general disuse in England, though it is still practised in Ireland. 

 — Ed.] 



Docking. 



A convenient instrument for docking, or cutting off a horse's 

 tail, is sold by Mr. Long, and other veterinary instrument makers, 



..i.^J 



Dochiiicj Knife. 



The semicircular notch lecLives the tail, whicli is held cut by an assistant, and the 

 operator pressing on the handle, by one motion divides the tail. 



in London. Colts may be docked even while suckers, as it gene- 

 rally renders nicking unnecessary. The tail should be divided at 

 a joint, Avhich may be ascertained from being somewhat thicker 

 than the other parts. It is necessary to ap})ly a hot iron after- 

 wards to stop tiie bleeding, but it should only be of a dull red 

 heat, and smaller than is generally employed, so as not to sear 

 the skin, which is the most sensitive part. 



