726 OPERATIONS. 



aged animals are more difficult and more dangerous to deal with, 

 and by their tusks sometimes inflict severe wounds. 



In the standing position they can be j^artially fixed by passing a 

 running loop behind the canine teeth 'of the upper jaw, but should 

 the examination to be carried out prove to be of a difficult character 

 it is best to cast the animal. 



A strong assistant grasps one of the hind limbs by means of a 

 running loop, fixed, for example, above the right hock. He rapidly 

 slides his left knee towards the front of the left side of the chest, 

 passes his left hand over the withers, and by the combined use of 

 his knees and arms throws the animal on its left side, controlling 

 as far as possible the struggles of the right front and hind limbs, 

 which he grasps with his hands. 



The animal is then further secured by rapidly passing a thin rope 

 in figures of eight around the front and hind limbs. If necessary 

 all four legs may be brought together and fastened by a rope passed 

 round the region of the pastern ; a muzzle can afterwards be applied 

 to prevent biting. 



ANESTHESIA. 



Oxen rarely receive general anesthetics, though in certain obste- 

 trical cases tliey may be necessary. Ether and chloroform are given 

 by inhalation, and chloral of 10 to 20 per cent, strength by intra- 

 venous injection. In utilising the latter method the injection should 

 IjB made slowly, the pulse and heart being closely scanned to prevent 

 cardiac syncope. The dose of chloroform varies with the size of the 

 animal, '2 ounces often sufficing for a full-grown ox. The same methods 

 may be used for sheep, goats, and pigs, the doses being suitably 

 altered. (For fuller particulars see Dollar's " Operative Technique," 

 pp. 44 to 70.) 



^lost frequently, however, the surgeon contents himself with pro- 

 ducing local anaesthesia by the injection of a 4 to 10 per cent, solu- 

 tion of cocaine. 



