248 VETERINARY OPERATIONS. 



than the first. A very mild dose of physic is likewise often given 

 to horses while at grass in very warm weather, and without any 

 injury. When worms, or skin foulness are present, and mercuria. 

 physic is deemed necessary, it is better to give two drachms Oi 

 calomel in a mash the previous night, than to put it into the pur 

 ging ball. 



Castration, Nicking, Docking, <^-c. 



125. The operations of castration, docking, nicking, aud that of 

 cropping, (which is seldom practised,) all require the assistance of 

 a veterinary surgeon ; and it is only necessary to remark of them, 

 that the after treatment must be the same as in all other wounds. 

 To avoid irritation, to preserve a cool temperature and a moderate 

 diet; and if active febrile symptoms make their appearance, to 

 obviate them by bleeding, &.c. &.c. It likewise is proper to direct 

 the attention of the agriculturist who attends to these matters him- 

 self, that the moment the wound following any of these operations 

 looks otherwise than healthy, locked jaw is to be feared, and no time 

 should be lost in seeking the best assistance that can be obtained. 

 (11.) See Mason, p. 148. 



Bleeding, 



126. Bleeding is a very common, and to the horse a very impor- 

 tant operation, because his inflammatory diseases, on account of the 

 great strength of his arterial system, run to a fatal termination very 

 soon and can only be checked in the rapidity of their progress by 

 abstracting blood, which diminishes the momentum of circulation. 

 Bleeding is more particularly important in the inflammatory dis- 

 eases of the horse ; because we cannot, as in the human, lower the 

 circulation by readily nauseating the stomach. Bleeding also lessens 

 irritation, particularly in the young and plethoric, or those of full 

 habit: hence we bleed in spasms of the bowels, in locked ja.w, &c. 

 with good effect. Bleeding is general or topical. General as from 

 the neck, when we mean to lessen the general momentum. Topical 

 when we bleed from a particular part, as the eye, the plate vein, the 

 toe, &c. Most expert practitioners use a large lancet to bleed with ; 

 and when the habit of using it is acquired, it is by far the best 

 instrument, particularly for superficial veins where a blow might 

 earry tlie fleam through the vessel. In common hands the fleam as 

 the more general instrument is best adapted to the usual cases 

 requiring the agriculturists notice. Care should, however, be taken 

 not to strike it with vehemence, and the hair being first wetted and 

 smoothed down, it should be pressed close between the hairs, so 



