296 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



If the probability of the success of an operation is remote and the 

 animal is in a healthy physical condition, so that its flesh is good for 

 human food, it is more advisable to let the butcher have the animal 

 than to attempt a surgical operation that offei^ little encouragement 

 to the owner. The best judgment has to be exercised in determining 

 a matter of this kind, for no animal suffering from inflanmiation or 

 that is in a feverish condition is fit for human food. 



All cases of major operative surgery^ i*equire the skill and dexterity 

 of the exjjerienced veterinary surgeon^ and no one else should attempt 

 such an operation, for unnecessary suffering must be prevented as 

 well as the success of the operation attained. Nevertheless, the more 

 knowledge and undei-standing an owner of animals has of surgical 

 operations and manipulations, the better for all concerned. In the 

 first place, such an owner will appreciate more fully the skill of the 

 qualified veterinarian, and, in the second place, he will be the better 

 prepared and equipped to render assistance to his suffering dumb 

 dependentvS where no practitioner is accessible and in cases of emer- 

 gency. There are, moreover, sundiy operations upon cattle, some of 

 which can hardly be classed as surgical, that the stockman and farmer 

 should be able to perform himself. 



In the perfomiance of any operation upon an animal of the size 

 and strength of the bull or cow, the first consideration is to secure 

 the animal in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of its 

 injuring ■either itself or those taking any part in the operation, for 

 two or more are invariably necessar\^ The nature and time likely 

 to be occupied by an operation must, of course, largely determine the 

 method to be adopted. 



The majority of operations with which the present chapter is con- 

 cerned are usually performed on the animal in a standing position.^ 

 To secure the cow in this position, grasp the nose, the finger and 

 thumb being introduced into the nostrils, and press against the carti- 

 lage which makes a division between them. If she has horns, grasp 

 one of them with the disengaged hand. If this is insufficient the 

 animal should be secured to a post, the side of a building, or put in a 

 stanchion. A very excellent method of restraint is to tie a long rope 

 in a slip noose over the horns, pass it around the chest just behind 

 the forelegs, taking a half hitch on itself, taking another half hitch 

 in front of the hind limbs, passing the free end under the tail, bring- 

 ing it forward and making it fast either to the head or one of the 

 hitches. The head should be raised to the level of the back before 

 the final knot is tied, so as to render it too serious and painful a mat- 

 ter for her to repeat the first attempt she makes to lower it. Should 

 the nature or extent of the operation be likely to take up a consider- 

 able length of time, it is invariably the best plan to throw the animal. 



^ A bull should always be held by a staff attached to the ring in his nose. 



