446 THE HORSE. 



and causing the opening to close by adhesive inflammation. If 

 the colt is uncut, the performance of the covered operation on the 

 French plan (see. page 443) will generally succeed, great care 

 being of course necessary to return the intestine before the clams 

 are applied. In umbilical hernia a similar plan has been tried, 

 but the adhesion is too superficial to be of much use ; and the only 

 successful method is the passage of one or two skewers through 

 the opposite edges of the opening, and then winding some waxed 

 twine round them, with a moderate degree of force. This should 

 not be sufficient to cause mortification, or the opening will only be 

 increased in size, and the bowel will protrude without any covering 

 of skin ; but it should be just sufficient to cause adhesive inflam- 

 mation ; experience in such matters alone enabling the operator to 

 hit upon the right amount. 



In all operations for hernia chloroform is of great assist- 

 ance, as it prevents the risk of a protrusion of the bowel while the 

 knife is being used, which will otherwise sometimes happen during 

 the struggles of the horse. 



THE ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSIC. 



Medicine may be given to the horse either in the solid form 

 as a ball, or liquid, and then called a drench, or as a dry powder, 

 when in small compass and with little taste, mixed with the corn 

 or mash. Sometimes also a small quantity of a tasteless liquid, 

 such as liquor arsenicalis, may be given with the food. 



In giving a ball, place a halter on the head with a knot, so 

 that the jaws may be widely opened. Then turn the horse round 

 in the stall and back him up to the manger, lay hold of the tongue 

 and draw it out of the mouth, grasp it with the left hand, which 

 must also hold the halter-cord so short that, the strain is partly 

 taken off" the tongue, and then holding the ball in the right hand 

 with the fingers enclosing it like a cone, and, the arm bare, it 

 should be rapidly carried to the back of the mouth and deposited 

 there, holding the head up till it is seen to pass down the gullet. 

 Cautious grooms use a balling iron, which gags the mouth and 

 protects the arm, but a handy man will have less difficulty in intro- 

 ducing his hand than in inserting the gag, unless the horse is a 

 determined biter, when it may be absolutely necessary. In that 

 case the gag is insinuated with as much ease as a bit in a flat 

 direction, and the handle being suddenly depressed, the mouth 

 gapes and the teeth cannot be brought together. Then holding 

 its handle together with the halter in the left hand, the right 

 easily introduces the ball into the pharynx. 



In giving a drench, two persons are necessary, the operator 

 standing at the right shoulder, while the assistant is ready to steady 

 the head and aid him on the left. The operator raises the head 



