496 
DISEASES OF THE TAIL. 
Diagnosis is easy, but it is otherwise with treatment. Superficial 
tumours, that is, those having their seat in the skin, may easily be 
removed with the knife, but if they arise from the vertebrae amputation 
Fig. 187. 
of the tail is the sole resource. Tumours near the end of the tail are 
dealt with by “ docking”; those near the base are, however, more 
Fig. 188. 
seiious, and necessitate amputation, a double-flap operation being that 
generally employed. 
Bayei pioceeds as follows : After shaving and disinfecting the skin, 
a rubber cord is tightly applied round the base of the tail. Two flaps 
are then formed by semi-elliptical incisions of suitable length so as to 
ensure sufficient skin being left to cover the stump without tension. 
The tail is then divided close to the base of the flaps, by disarticulating 
