DOCKING OF HOUSES. 
319 
following particulars of the tumour : — In form, it is a flat- 
tened ovoid, measuring, in its long diameter, four inches, and 
in its short, two inches and three-eighths ; its thickness varies 
from an inch and a half at one end, to little more than half 
an inch at the other ; the base measures nearly as large as its 
exposed surface ; it weighs five ounces avoirdupois , which is 
less than might have been expected from its size. Its struc- 
ture shows it to be an outgrowth from the maxillary bone of 
osseous spiculae, which shoot in a straight direction, closely 
packed together into a fibrous structure, which is somewhat 
elastic and has a density nearly equal to cartilage. These 
osseous spiculae are easily separated, in small bundles, from 
the entire mass. The portion of mucous membrane left upon 
the surface of the tumour, gives evidence of the application 
of caustic agents ; its central part is nearly destroyed, while 
this is bounded by a thickened edge or cicatrizing border. 
The microscopic appearances do not differ in any essential 
particular from those of similar adventitious osseous growths 
from normal bone. 
Mr. Arnold has since informed us that the case went on 
to his perfect satisfaction, little being required to assist the 
healing process beyond the occasional application of an astrin- 
gent solution] . 
ON THE DOCKING OF HORSES. 
mV \S * 
By E. Harrison, M.R.C.V.S., Lincoln. 
In the perusal of your Journal for May, my attention wak^ ( 
drawn to an article from the pen of Mr. J. Gamgee, entitled 
Ci Docking, or Amputation of the Tail.” 
I am glad to testify my concurrence in his observations, and 
I would remark that ever since I graduated I have refrained 
from having recourse to the searing iron in this operation. I 
became, while a student, disgusted with the use of such a rude 
and barbarous instrument; its unsurgical appearance and its 
brutal application producing those struggles and contortions 
of the poor animal upon whom it is practised, are well calcu- 
lated to produce this dislike, to say nothing of the risk, which 
the operator is exposed to. These things all tended to awaken 
in my mind the necessity of some other method to arrest the 
bleeding in this oft required operation. I determined on the 
adoption of a plan similar to the one fully described in the 
article I allude to, with this exception, or rather I may say addi- 
