CHAPTER XVI. 



OPERATIONS. 



Operation? have been stigmatised as the "opprobria of 

 surgery ;" we regret that there is too much truth in the 

 remark, especially with regard to the rude and barbarous 

 operation to which the subjects of veterinary surgery were 

 subjected under the primitive methods of practice. And even 

 at the present day, with all the advantages of the improved 

 systems of modern surgery and anatomical and physiological 

 researches, the system of veterinary surgery is still deficient. 

 Among the uneducated, self-taught practitioners more espe- 

 cially, there is no operation which is considered too outre for 

 practice in human surgery but is forced on the poor dumb 

 animal, without regard to the suffering they occasion, and 

 that, too, often with the consent and approval of the too 

 confiding owner in the mysterious knowledge of the crafty 

 farrier, who is usually very wise, and caa predict to a cer- 

 tainty the result of his skill ! Much has been done, however, 

 within the last four years in introducing veterinary surgery, 

 and exposing empiricism ; and we are proud to see that the art 

 is fast assuming its proper position, and the rude practices 

 of the old school are giving place to the more scientific and 

 humane practices of modern surgery. 



Although we are not called upon to perform so many 

 capital operations as the human surgeon, we have often to 

 perform operations requiring not only an intimate acquaint- 



