SECUKING SOLIPEDS. 



37 



and it has the advantage, besides, of " preventing fractures of the 

 vertebral column, rupture of the diaphragm, and rupture of in- 

 ternal viscera." 



In some exceptional cases the surgeon ■wUl be obliged to im- 

 provise his hobbles. This may be done by fastening four ropes 

 of suitable length around the coronets, allowing suf&oient room 

 for the passage of the casting rope between the hobbles and the 

 skin, or again placing an iron ring through these loops of rope, 

 which are secured by a knot on the outside of the leg, as suggest- 

 ed by Mr. Dneubourg. 



The removal of the hobbles and of the other apparatus em- 

 ployed in casting the animal, demands similar care and attention 

 to that which was required to put them on. While the Bernardot 

 & Buttel surcingle is unbuckled, the assistant loosening the 



Fig. 24.— Improved HoDbles of Dneubourg. 



straps of the cap, and ready to remove it at a moment's notice, 

 the operator placing himself facing the soles of the feet, in order 

 to be out of danger, cautiously unscrews the screw-pin which 

 fastens the chain to the principal hobble, and removes it, when aU 

 the hobbles becoming loose, are removed, and the animal being 

 freed from all restraint, is allowed to rise. 



While the animal is rising it wiU be but prudent in the by- 

 standers to allow him all the scope he may choose. The action is 

 sudden and somewhat violent, and he may move his hind legs 



