122 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



tightly round the bowel. It appeared to pass from behind for- 

 wards, and under the rectum. By pulling at this the animal 

 struggled from pain. Finding this state of things, I at once 

 decided upon operating, as I could not see the patient any more 

 that day, having many pressing professional engagements. 



" I first cut off the hair from the right side, which I prefer 

 to do while the animal is standing, that I may know better 

 where to commence my incision when he is cast. I will here 

 describe my plan of casting the animal, that should any person 

 have a preferable one, I may put it in requisition in my after- 

 proceedings. I first fastened one end of a rope to the oiF fore 

 leg, then passed it in front and around the near fore leg, and 

 afterwards under the part of the rope between the legs, so as to 

 pull them close together. Next, it was carried between the 

 hind legs and round the near one, and then under that part 

 which passed from the fore to the hind legs. By then bringing 

 the end of the rope over the bullock's back I was enabled to 

 throw him on his near side, and prevent his rising by drawing 

 the near hind leg forwards, and fixing it between the fore legs. 

 As the off hind leg was still at liberty, it was secured by draw- 

 ing it backwards and fastening it by another rope to a crowbar 

 fixed in the ground. A man was then placed on the animal's 

 neck to keep his head down, and prevent his rising. Every 

 thing being ready, I commenced the operation by cutting through 

 the common integument and abdominal muscles midway between 

 the antero-inferior spinous process of the ilium and the last rib, 

 a short distance below the transverse processes of the lumbar 

 vertebrae, so as to avoid the arteries of the part. The periton- 

 eum was then broken through with the fingers, and afterwards 

 the left hand was introduced into the abdomen in a direction 

 towards the pelvis. I experienced no difficulty in finding the 

 band, which consisted of the vas deferens, and which formed a 

 semicircular projection in the abdomen from the intestines pass- 

 ing behind it, or from below upwards, as the steer lay on his 

 sjde. It was drawn quite tight, And had produced strangulation 

 of the intestines. I was soon enabled to liberate the intestines, 

 after which I drew the vas deferens toward the opening in the 



