300 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



case chemical dehorning at the earl}' age recommended for the steer 

 and cow, necessity becomes a second nature, and the animal intuitively 

 adopts the catapult-like tactics of the " moolly." These, although, 

 comparatively speaking, less harmful as between the animals them- 

 selves, are equally dangerous Avhen directed against their owner; for 

 captious indeed would be the critic who discriminated between being 

 butted to death or hooked to death. 



Instances have been cited to prove that the effects of the depriva- 

 tion of his horns are only temporary in the case of the animal that 

 has once become dangerous or unruly, but a lengthened and varied 

 experience convinces me that such is not the general fact. The moral 

 effect of throwing the animal and depriving it of its natural weapons 

 is both great and lasting, and with proper treatment the advantages 

 thus obtained need neither be lost nor lessened. The animal, shorn 

 of its weapons, dreads the very approach of man, and its impulse 

 is to go from him instead of for him. Animals have more retentive 

 memories than they are generally credited with. 



In performing the operation the precaution of the greatest impor- 

 tance is to see that the animal is secured so that it can not struggle 

 enough to hurt itself. The animal may be throAvn by any of the 

 methods already indicated. The onh^ additional accessories for the 

 above purpose are a strong halter and a long rope, fastened around its 

 girth before it is cast. The free end of tliis is then passed through 

 the ring on the halter and the head pulled back against the ribs. A 

 liitch underneath the tail should bring the rope forward to the halter, 

 where it may be fastened, so as to be readily loosed when the first 

 horn has been removed. To remove the second horn loose the head, 

 turn the animal over and refasten the head as before. 



The exponents of dehorning have attempted to envelop the opera- 

 tion in a mist of technical absurdities, and insist on the necessity 

 of an apparatus as intricate as a self-binder and about as easy to 

 move around as the average elevator. But the above method will 

 answer all practical purposes. The only instrument needed is an 

 ordinary jointing saw, which should be used as quietly and quickly 

 as possible. 



Animals may be dehorned any time except in fly time, or when the 

 mercury is liable to drop to the neighborhood of zero, and cold water 

 is the only dressing needed. It is a good practice to deprive the ani- 

 mal of food for 12 hours before operating. 



BLEEDING ( BLOODLETTING ) . 



Although nowadays this operation has fortunately become less fre- 

 quent than when it was generally considered the panacea for all ills, 

 there are beyond doubt some cases in Avhich the operation is admit- 

 tedly the quickest and surest means of affording relief. 



