76 FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL 
to back instead of encircling the neck. The 
collar seat must be free from obstacles because 
the incision crosses it and besides a rope en- 
circling the base of the neck would interfere 
with making the lateral apertures for drainage. 
A rope whose collar is large enough to drop 
under the sternum while its backward part will 
rest in the middle of the back is best adapted 
for the purpose, as it leaves the withers unob- 
structed. The two free ends of the rope en- 
circle the pasterns of the hind legs and then 
pass forward into the collar. When the horse is 
down the hind legs are drawn into a securely 
flexed position. The fore legs are tied securely, 
flexed with straps or preferably with cords. 
Thus secured the body of the anesthetized or 
narcotized subject can be rolled into the ventral 
position where it can be blocked with sacks or 
held by several assistants. The operator stand- 
ing on the right side is now in a splendid posi- 
tion to proceed. 
On the operating table which brings the body 
up to a position comfortable enough to invade 
the withers mesially there is the objection that 
the under side is not very accessible for making 
the lateral apertures. Although this objection 
can be overcome by rolling the head and neck 
downward and backward there is by no means 
the same opportunity to perforate the cervical 
