SURGICAL OPERATIONS, 287 



ing it forward and making it fast either to the head or one of the 

 hitches. The head should be raised to the level of the back before 

 the final knot is tied, so as to render it too serious and painful a mat- 

 ter for her to repeat the first attempt she makes to lower it. Should 

 the nature or extent of the operation be likely to take up a consider- 

 able length of time, it is invariably the best plan to throw the animal. 

 In the case of the ox this is very easily done, either by use of horse 

 hobbles, should they be at hand, or by the application of a simple 

 rope. If the horse hobbles are used, they should be fastened on the 

 leg just above the fetlocks (ankle joints), as they are in that position 

 less liable to come off than if placed around the pastern. 



Of the many ways of applying the rope for this purpose we will 

 describe two only, which we consider the best and simplest : 



First. Take along, strong rope (one which has been used a few times 

 is more flexible), double it, and at 2 or 3 feet from the doubled end, 

 according to the size of the animal, make a knot and pass the collar 

 thus formed over the animal's head, allowing it to rest on what would 

 be the collar place in a horse. Now pass the ends of the rope between 

 the fore legs, carry one around each hind leg just above the fetlock 

 joint, from outside in, under itself once, and bring the free ends for- 

 ward, passing each through the collar loop on its own side and bring- 

 ing the slack back toward and beyond the hind quarters. (PI. XXVI, 

 fig. 2. ) Two or three stout men should then take hold of each rope and 

 at a given signal pull. The animal's hind legs being drawn forward, 

 the balance is lost, and if the animal does not fall or lie down he can 

 be readily pushed over on his side and secured in the desired position. 



Second. The three half hitches. Take a rope 30 or more feet long, 

 make a slip noose at the end and pass it over the animal's horns, 

 leaving the knot in the loop between the horns ; then pass the rope- 

 backward along the neck to the withers, just in front of which take a 

 half hitch on it, passing it along the back, take one half hitch just 

 behind the forelegs and a second in front of the hind limbs round the 

 flank. (PI. XXVI, fig. 1.) ' The free end of the rope is taken hold of 

 by one or two assistants while another holds the animal's head. By 

 pulling firmly on the rope, or inducing the animal to make a step or 

 two forward while steady traction is made on the rope, the beast will 

 quietly lie down, when his feet can be secured in the way most con- 

 venient for the operator. 



There are numerous other methods, involving more or less complete 

 restraint, which may be equally efficacious, but one or other of the 

 ways indicated will doubtless be found to meet fully all ordinary cases. 



RINGING THE BULL. 



This is usually and ought always to be done before the calf has 

 attained sufficient weight or strength to make his restraint a matter 

 of serious difficulty. An ordinary halter is usually all that is required, 



