DISEASES OF BONES 171 



The folio-wing plan, of course altered according to cir- 

 cumstances, lias given me splendid results : 



The horse which is to be laid down is given an aloetic 

 purge, provding that his condition permits it. The day ha 

 enters or when at the home of the owner he is given a liberal 

 water diet and fed a moderate amount of bran mash and no 

 hay. The second day he is given an armful of hay in the 



■ morning and one bran mash in the evening ; as a rule, they 

 do not care to eat very much anyway on account of the 



; aloetic purge. On the third day he is operated, not getting 

 any food but a little water when to be operated in the morn- 

 ing, or a bran mash for breakfast and some water at dinner 

 when to be operated in the afternoon or evening. Of course 

 modifications must be made to meet the various conditions 

 of the patient and of the surgeon's practice. 



The animal is to be thrown upon a soft bed and in a 

 place affording sufficient space and light. The throwing 

 harness should have a belly-band and a halter, by means of 

 which the animal's head can be checked up sufficiently to 

 prevent undue curving of the spine. In other words, the 

 head and neck ought to be stretched out nicely when it is 

 down. Undue lateral motions with the haunches and head 

 are overcome by having someone hold the head properly and 

 someone sitting upon the hip region. In case of all painful 

 and prolonged operations the animals must be chloroformed, 

 otherwise local anaesthesia is indicated. 



Will such precautions relieve the su/rgeon of all responsibility f 



Fractures will occur even -under these circumstances, as 

 experience teaches that the throwing of horses is not without 

 danger to the animal. 



