206 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



around the table should be wooden, to give good footing to 

 the horse while being secured and released. 



The simplest form of operating table is shown in Fig. 20. 

 It consists of a simple wooden frame, a simple wooden 

 table, moderately padded with oakum and painted canvas, 

 and a simple gearing that turns the table from horizontal to 

 perpendicular in fifteen turns of the crank. The three body 

 belts are of five-inch, five-ply cloth belting. The four foot 

 hopples are of thi'ee-ply harness leather, of good quality, 

 hooked to the frame with strong chains, which automati- 

 cally tighten the legs by the shifting of the table from the 

 perpendicular to the horizontal position. 



From the standpoint of the surgeon's safety the operat- 

 ing table compares favorably with the casting harness. The 

 only danger connected with the method is that of being 

 struck with the legs when they are released preparatory to 

 returning the horse to the standing position, or when a 

 hopple should accidentally break during the operation. 



In regard to the patient's safety against accident, there 

 is much to be recommended. Horses are very seldom ever 

 injured. A trivial abrasion of the orbit from improper at- 

 tention of the head, or insufficient padding of the hood- 

 wink and friction abrasions from struggling in the hopples, 

 especially the uppermost hind foot, are about the only 

 possible accidents. A horse that will persist in fighting 

 constantly through a long operation may also bruise the 

 hip, shoulder and stifle, but these subjects are rare and 

 when met they should be promptly anaesthetized. Ani- 

 mals reviving from anaesthesia may sustain injuries of the 

 limbs if returned to the standing position too soon. In 

 the state of partial unconsciousness they may hang with 

 the full weight in the belts, and when released one or more 

 of the legs may become folded in an unnatural position un- 

 der the body as it falls heavily to the floor. 



