42 SPRING-TIME SURGERY 



Plan of Procedure.— The details of conduct- 

 ing an operation in the country are about as fol- 

 lows : Upon arriving at the place of operation a 

 spot for casting is selected. There are no par- 

 ticular specifications regarding a casting site ex- 

 cept that it be level and of sufficient size. A grass 

 plot is best, although not indispensable. A clean 

 operation can be done anywhere, but more care 

 is required in dirty, dusty surroundings. When 

 the casting site is selected, the owner is directed 

 to procure a pail of warm water and a basin and 

 to have the patient brought out. While this is be- 

 ing done the operator prepares his equipment for 

 the operation. The scalpel, emasculator, ecras- 

 eur and needle, threaded with a piece of tape fif- 

 teen inches long, all previously sterilized by boil- 

 ing, are laid out on a clean (if not sterile) towel 

 on some improvised table, as a board, box or 

 medicine case. The quart bottle is filled with 

 water and to it is added enough mercuric chloride 

 tablets to make a solution of 1-1,000 or even 

 1-500. The can of sterile gauze, the nail brush, 

 soap and operating sheets are placed conveniently 

 near. The horse is then cast and tied, the opera- 



