AMERICAN VETERINARY COLLEGE 
129 
LARGE MELANOTIC TUMOR OF THE TAIL—REMOVAL WITH 
THE ELASTIC LIGATURE—RECOVERY. 
By J. W. Soheiblek, D.V.S., House Surgeon. 
The owner had bought the mare, which is a fine gray animal 
some ten years old, some three months ago. A short time after¬ 
ward he noticed a tumor making its appearance on the upper part 
of the tail, about the sixth caudal vertebra. This he found grow¬ 
ing quite fast, and then treated it himself by the repeated applica¬ 
tion of nitric acid, which in time seemed to cauterize the enlarge¬ 
ment, and cause its disappearance. Soon, however, it began to 
grow again, and to assume such dimensions that he decided to 
send her to the American Veterinary College for treatment. 
When she was admitted on the 5th of April the growth was 
nearly the size of the two fists of a man, measuring four inches in 
circumference at the base, which made it look as being peduncu¬ 
lated above the base, enlarging it to such extent that it measured 
a circumference of over nine inches toward its face. The 
tumor is slightly soft, irregularly roughened, here and there 
ulcerated, allowing the escape of a very offensive thin sanious and 
blackish discharge. 
Treatment .—The tail having been carefully washed, and the 
hairs braided or clipped round the tumor, an elastic round ligature 
was applied at the base, firmly tightening it by three turns all 
round, and securing it with a double knot. A dressing of oakum 
was placed over it, being careful to pack it between the growth 
and the skin, so as to prevent them from sticking together. A roll 
of bandage kept the dressing in place. 
On the following day, 10th of April, the dressing was removed. 
It was then found that the process of mortification had scarcely 
begun on account of the ligature having slipped off. It was then 
replaced, and the knot more firmly secured; a similar dressing 
was again put on. 
On the 11th the tail had a different aspect, the tumor was 
noticed softened, diminished considerably in size ; it had ulcerated 
in several places, which seemed to have allowed the escape of 
much pus, and part of its external covering was removed by the 
scissors without any sign of pain on the part of the animal. A 
