PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 217 



while the ends are closed with strong removable timbers. 

 The plank is equipped with four belts, two anteriorly and 

 two posteriorly. The horse is led into the apparatus and 

 locked into it with the removable timbers as the belts are 

 fastened around the body, two above and two below, to pre- 

 vent either rearing or falling. The application of the twitch 

 completes the restraint. 



This method is not without its faults for promiscuous 

 Operations jon all kinds of horses, owing to the dangers of 

 injuri-ng.the animal that may persist in violently resenting 

 the confinement;^ Such a horse must either be perfectly 

 !secured beyofifltflte possibility of offering any resistance at 

 all orvfelse it ?iHust be given considerable freedom. The par- 

 tial confinement, ,such as the stocks provide, is dangerous 

 Avhen the animal is a. fighter. 



For ovariectomy either in the mare or the cow, the 

 stocks are v-ei"y commendable. They are, in fact, essential. 

 For flank operations in the cow, especially when a number 

 of them are performed in a herd, such a restraint apparatus 

 is highly recommended. It is constructed with a hinged 

 door on one side whifh-can be dropped to expose the flank, 

 or on one end if the""v^ginal. operation is to be performed. 



In a certain establishment where upwards of two thou- 

 sand horses are confined annually for tail operations, — 

 pricking and docking, — the stocks were abandoned after a 

 trial of four years, on account of the accidents that occurred. 

 These, while not specially numerous, were too frequent to 

 warrant a continuation of their use. This is practically the 

 final conclusion of all experienced operators. One hundred 

 horses may be confined successfully without accident, but 

 the one hundred and first one sustains a serious injury to the 

 limbs or body while kicking or plunging. The stocks are 

 credited with two fatal accidents to the writer's personal 

 knowledge, and these after several years of experience 



