332 
MANUAL OP MODERN FARRIERY. 
second one is seldom deep. Any of the fibres which may 
reach across the incision must be cut off with a pair of 
curved scissors. Each incision must now be filled with 
pledgets of tow, and inserted deeply into the wounds; and 
it must be distinctly ascertained whether the muscles are 
cut uniformly on each side, otherwise the animal will carry 
its tail awry. They must be secured by a bandage, but it 
must not be made too tight, as bad consequences are likely 
to follow where this is done. Indeed, if not loosened in the 
course of two or three hours, intense inflammation and 
swelling will ensue, and in all probability death may follow. 
In about twenty-four hours after the Operation, the bandage 
may be thrown aside and the wounds kept clean, which is 
all that will be required. 
The tail must be afterwards kept bent back for some 
weeks until the wounds are healed; because if allowed to 
hang down, the edges of the cuts would come in contact 
and soon reunite again. This is accomplished by means of 
a cord from one to two feet in length, which is attached to 
the hair at the point of the tail, and this is affixed to 
another divided cord, each division passing over a pulley on 
either side of the back of the stall. To each extremity a 
weight is suspended, sufficient to keep the cuts of the tail 
open to the extent required ; but it is an act of cruelty to hang 
too heavy weights to these, as the smallest quantity beyond 
what is necessary inflicts great pain on the animal. Some 
persons do not use pulleys at all, but by keeping a slight girth 
on the horse, attach a cord to the tail and pull it backwards. 
However, whether the pulleys or simple cord are made use 
of, the tail must be relieved from the weight once or twice 
a day, and the horse exercised. Ten days or a fortnight 
will be required to complete the operation, as if too soon re¬ 
moved. the desired elevation of the tail may not be effected. 
