SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 2C1 



completely whole, although she has been going at grass all the 

 time, and, now that she has got the advantage of a cork stump, 

 makes a wonderful shift for herself, and yields a good supply of 

 milk to her owner.' 



Mr. Dick also notices another case of amputation of the fore-leg 

 of a two-year old heifer ; and of a third, where the hind leg was 

 removed above the tarsus. Such operations have occasionally oc- 

 curred from time immemorial, with a few enterprising characters. 

 We have heard of them, but they were mostly regarded as mere 

 matters of curiosity or wonder, and, therefore, were not imitated. 

 We shall, however, probably, erelong have them more common, 

 in cows, at least ; for, occurring below the carpus and tarsus, they 

 are as easily performed as nicking or docking; and there is no 

 doubt but, were a hollow padded stump applied, such low opera- 

 tions might be prudent in many cases. Fractures, with great 

 comminution of bone, considerable ravages of disease within the 

 foot, or extensive gangrene, are the cases which might call for am- 

 putation. 



Of the method of amputation little need be added to the above. 

 The principal practical points are, the fixing of a torniquet of 

 sufficient force, which should be padded to make its principal 

 pressure on the leading arterial trunks, while its general circumfer- 

 ence will act on the smaller vessels. A ring should be cut lightly 

 below the intended place of operation, only through the integu- 

 ments, which, when separated from their cellular adhesions for 

 about six inches, should be turned back; and a circular incision 

 may then be made through the muscles, etc., taking up by liga- 

 ture such vessels, both venous and arterial, as display a disposition 

 for much hemorrhage. The section thus made, free the bone from 

 the soft parts by the scalpel, where the adherences are very inti- 

 mate, and, having, by means of a crucial bandage, retracted the 

 soft parts altogether above the bone, saw it through. Finally 

 effectually secure the principal vessels, when, bringing the soft 

 parts and skin over the bone, retain them there by proper ban- 

 daging, which suffer to remain without disturbance until the third 

 or fourth day. 



Amputation of the Penis. — Amputation of the penis is not un- 

 known among us. It has been performed several times, and it is 

 found that no canula is necessary to keep open the urethra, the force 

 of the urinary flow breaking down any incipient cicatrization of its 



