DISEASES OF CATS 133 



either its fore or hind legs to scratch, or for it 

 to twist its head to bite, and the second person 

 can examine the mouth and administer medi- 

 cine or operate. Absolute care must be taken, 

 however, that no pressure is put upon the ribs, 

 or the chest itself, or upon the belly of the 

 animal, as carelessness in this point may stop 

 the respiration and prove fatal. If more com- 

 plete contention is required as it is for opera- 

 tions which last for any length of time, or for 

 any very obstreperous animals the cat should 

 be wrapped in a sack of cloth or soft leather, 

 or of india-rubber. Where a large number of 

 cats are handled, it is well to have a sheet of 

 leather such as a blacksmith uses for his apron, 

 with a whole in the centre just large enough to 

 admit the head of the cat. This is drawn over 

 the head, and the corners of the leather are 

 carefully folded along the line of the body into 

 an oblong sack, which must be firmly held. 

 Care must be taken to draw the forelegs back- 

 ward along the side of the body, and hold them 

 so, firmly, as the neck of the cat is smaller than 

 its head, and after being drawn over the head 



the hole in the leather will admit of the protru- 

 10 



