146 MODERN MILK GOATS 



supply of caustic potash sticks, a fresh supply, kept in a 

 dark bottle tightly corked. Break off a piece an inch or 

 so long for each operation, wrap one end in tin foil to 

 protect the fingers, and throw it away after using. Do 

 not return a used piece to the bottle. Other equipment 

 consists of the curved scissors, some thick kind of grease, 

 and some cotton. Clip all the hair off the head, short, 

 down close to the eyes, and around the ears. If the in- 

 experienced hand uses too much caustic, it will run, 

 scarring deeply wherever it goes, and horribly blinding 

 the animal for life if it reaches the eye. Grease neu- 

 tralizes the caustic. Rub it well into the skin in a circle 

 around the head, thick over the eyes. If the hair is not 

 entirely clipped, the grease lies on top of the hair and 

 the caustic runs under it. 



Someone must hold the kid firmly while the grease is 

 being applied. If it jerks, and the grease accidentally 

 touches the spot to be treated witli caustic, the caustic 

 will not take effect. After the grea.se is applied, moisten 

 slightly the end of the caustic, on a bit of wet blotter, 

 and rub the bare spot as a center and arovmd it over a 

 surface at least as large as a five cent piece. For a buck 

 kid, cover even more surface. Rub until the skin begins 

 to break over the entire space. That is enougii. When 

 both sides are done, the kid must be held in the arms for 

 half an hour or so. If it is not held, the first thing it will 



