278 THE IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS 



patience, and kindness, each of which is indispen- 

 sable. 



The fashion of docking horses is prohibited in 

 several states, and should be in all. It is an agoniz- 

 ing, useless operation, and inflicts on the poor horse 

 a cruel mutilation for life. When a portion of the 

 tail is amputated it destroys the graceful move- 

 ments and noble appearance the Creator has given 

 to a perfect horse, to say nothing of his inability to 

 dislodge flies and dust from his body. The " Rural 

 Stockman," of New Orleans, declares: "When men 

 commit such a cruelty as docking horses they give 

 good evidence that the whipping-post was abolished 

 too soon." Dr. George Fleming, late Chief Veteri- 

 nary Surgeon of England, says, " Nothing can be 

 more disgusting than this barbarous and detestable 

 fashion. Those who sanction it are no true horse- 

 men, but are promoters of a great cruelty which 

 decreases the usefulness and value of horses." Dr. 

 S. K. Johnson, Chief Surgeon New York Veteri- 

 nary Hospital, gives his opinion in the following 

 words: "No language can be too strong in con- 

 demnation of the painful and cruel operation called 

 docking." We are glad to know that this sinful 

 habit is on the decrease. 



