^ . MODERN FARRIER. 117 



hung the four feet of the animal as near as possible 

 together. When this is done, the men on the other 

 side standing in a row, one at the head of the ani- 

 mal, another at his chest, a third at his haunches, a 

 fourth at his tail, &c. pull the animal toward them 

 and complete his fall. 



It is necessary to observe, that the men who pull 

 the rope, and those who receive the animal on the 

 bed, must not act at the same time ; as in this case 

 the shock would be so great and sudden, as probably 

 to occasion some accident, either to the men or to 

 the animal. It is also proper to remark, that the 

 animal must be cast in such a manner that the part 

 to be operated on may be fully in the view and 

 reach of the operator. 



When the animal is once on the bed, his head 

 must be held down by a man, and it will be proper 

 to cover his eyes. Another assistant must stand by 

 the cord, which for greater security should be fas- 

 tened with a knot at the first ring. 



There are some little niceties to be observed in 

 casting an animal, according to the operation that 

 is intended to be performed on him ; but of these 

 we shall speak when we describe tlie operations 

 themselves. 



68. Firing. 



Firing is the application of a heated metallic in- 

 strument, called a cautery, to different parts of the 

 body. The instruments are of different forms, ac- 

 cording to the purpose for which the operation is to 

 be performed, and will be described in the following 

 cases to which firing is applicable. 



The operation is found of use on several occasions. 



1st, In order to oppose the progress of mortifica- 

 tion. With this view a cautery shaped like a knife, 

 with a blunt edjje and a thick back, is to be em- 



_ 



jployed. This form will also answer for many other 



