662 OPERATIONS. 



("Vet. Journal," July, 1899), who says: "One little wrinkle 

 which I have learnt is to put a strong man at the end of the 

 tail, and let him pull and pull hard. The joint is then stretched, 

 and after the severance is effected, you get very little haimorrhage.'' 

 In making the amputation, which is generally done with a 

 docking machine made for the purpose, the great point to observe 

 is to cut through a joint, and not through one of the bones of 

 the tail; for if one of these vertebrae are thus injured, a trouble- 

 some wound will ensue. The haemorrhage can best be stopped by 

 the application of a tail-iron at a dull red heat. When it is laid on 

 the wound, it should be given a few half rotations, to increase its 

 effect. This instrument is made cylindrical in shape, so that it 

 may perform its work of searing the bleeding vessels, without in- 

 juring the exposed bone, which should find protection in the 

 central opening of the iron. After the application of the hot iron 

 the part should be treated antiseptically (p. 67 e^ seq.), so as to 

 prevent the entrance of infective germs, such as those of tetanus. 

 An effective dressing, which will also have the good effect of keeping 

 away flies, is a saturated solution of iodoform in eucalyptus oil, 

 or tannoform moistened with spirits. If the bleeding stops, the 

 long hairs of the tail may be left on for a few days as a protection 

 and subsequently trimmed according to fancy. If the bleeding 

 continues, we may soak a pledget of cotton wool in strong tincture 

 of iron, apply it to the wound, and keep it in place by drawing 

 down the long hairs, and tying a string tightly round them, so 

 as to press the pledget against the wound. The strong tincture of 

 iron, which should be renewed as may be required, is a good 

 antiseptic styptic (stopper of bleeding). As a rule, the operation 

 of docking is not allowed to interfere with the daily toil of working 

 animals, such as omnibus horses; although a rest for a few days 

 after the operation would be kindness. 



Firing 



is the application of a hot iron to the skin. It is generally useful in 

 cases of curb, ringbone, old and troublesome splints, bone spavin, 

 and occasionally in cases of sprained back tendons and suspensoiy 

 ligaments after all inflammatory symptoms have left the part. It 

 does not appear to act very well in sidebone. 



It is surprising how few horses require to be cast for firing. With 

 good assistants, and a little patience, 80 per cent, may be fired ex- 

 tensively while standing, which is much the more preferable atti- 

 tude for line firing, as the operator can then ensure the regularity 

 of the lines drawn. It is impossible, when the horse is on the 

 ground, to accurately allow for the alteration in position which the 



