after this operation, but with a little kind usage and carefulness in putting on the bridle and halter, in time, as the ears get well, this shyness goes away, but bad effects generally result from harsh treatment.

Amputation of the limbs of the horse is not usual; among cattle, particularly the cow, when her value is great from the quantity of milk she gives, it has sometimes been performed, but even that rarely.

Amputation of the penis is requisite in certain cases where disease attacks that member. Such is seldom necessary, and we pass to subjects of greater importance. In the "Veterinarian," No. 10, an account of this operation will be found.

FIRING.

To the operation of Firing the horse is often subjected, and indispensably so, for the cases are numerous in which practice and experience have shown us that all reliance on milder methods are futile; at the same time there are some cases where we ought to try the effects of other remedies ere we resort to this painful application of the cautery.

This instrument is of various constructions, according to the part to which it is applied.

It is requisite for the safety of all parties concerned that the animal is cast, for no person can fire without the horse is perfectly secured, and, moreover, the operator would stand in great jeopardy from, such negli

gence.

The iron should be but slightly red when heated, and the skin should by no means be penetrated; this might bring on inflammation and disease, which would destroy the value of the horse by leaving considerable

blemish. But there are times when the skin will separate a few days after the operation, even with the greatest care, but whatever ulceration arises then may be much easier treated and cured than penetrating the skin with the cautery itself. Thus it is evident that in the use of this instrument care and judgment are very necessary; not only must the operator apply it skilfully, but he must guard against the efforts of the tortured animal.

Twelve hours after the use of the cautery gently spread some oil or lard over the lines, this softens the skin and prevents any likelihood of separation.

Blisters are only to be used after firing when the bony tumours for which it has been applied are of great extent, or the affections have been of long standing

Bandages should be carefully avoided. When ulceration takes place, dress the cracks with the following ointment :

melt these over a fire, and when nearly cold, add——

Calamine Powder

2 ounces. This is to be well mixed and then applied to the

sores.

It is a good practice to turn a horse out to grass for three or four months after the operation, as great exercise or hard work will produce inflammation, and destroy, in some instances, the effects firing was intended to obtain.

If there is no opportunity for this, the horse should be soiled in a loose box, for ease and quiet are absolutely essential for at least three months afterwards.

Firing has been recommended as a certain method of preventing any bad effects from the bite of a mad animal: sometimes an iron whose extremity is rounded

has been called into use in cases of profuse bleeding, from accidental wounds as well as from surgical operations.

Some persons burn away the hair previous to the use of the cautery; this is unnecessary cruelty. If the scissars will not cut the hair close enough, shave the part, which will give less pain than burning.

ROWELS

In many cases are preferable to blisters, especially when inflammation has existed some considerable time; by acting slower, and less extensively, they promote the irritation of the surface, and excite a discharge which can better be prolonged than when the blister is used.

In cases of swelled legs, and obstinate grease, they are very serviceable; but the parts in which they are chiefly inserted are the breast and the belly, and they are very frequently used for sprains of the joints or of the muscles of the shoulders.

Sometimes several rowels are made at the same time, but if great debility exists, much care and judgment is requisite, and rowels are best avoided, for the discharge that flows will be very thin and ichorous, or perhaps the insertion will prove dry, and in this case mortification ensues.

Rowels must be inserted as near as possible to the seat of the affection they are intended to relieve. The method of operating is as follows:

Take up a part of the skin with the finger and thumb, and by means of a lancet, or the improved rowelling-scissars, make an incision about an inch in length; thrust the finger or handle of the new scissors

into the wound, and separate the flesh from the cellular substance beneath; this is done all round as far as the finger will extend, which produces a cavity between two and three inches wide. A piece of tow anointed with blistering or any other stimulating ointment to promote inflammation and discharge, must now be inserted, in quantity sufficient to fill up the cavity and leave a small end hanging from the mouth of the wound, whence the discharge will drop more or less abundantly according to the nature of the complaint or the strength of the ointment. The tow must be changed daily, and the ointment renewed or discontinued as the case requires.

The circular piece of leather with a hole in the centre, as used by the old farriers, is gradually getting into disuse, and is objectionable in as much as it generally leaves a blemish, whereas by the new method the rowel will close and heal and scarcely be perceptible.

SETONS

Are very beneficial in cases of abscess, especially in pole-evil or fistulous withers; indeed in most fistulous wounds they are highly necessary, for by draining off the humour from the very bottom of the part affected, they prevent the abscess eating its way still deeper into the body, which would render unavailing all attempts to procure a speedy cure. In inflammation of the eyes a seton may be used in the cheek; but where extensive inflammation of any of the larger organs takes place, blistering is far preferable to either rowels or setons.

The method of applying them is thus :-With a large needle, or instrument made for such purposes,

introduce a piece or pieces of tape or cord through the abscess from side to side, or from the top to the bottom, as the case may require, or according to the situation, of which the operator must be the best judge: the ends of the tape are then knotted or tied together. Previous, however, to the introduction of the seton, the tape must be wetted with some acrid liquid; spirit of turpentine may be used, or,

During the day it is necessary to move the seton occasionally, and wet it each time in order to promote the discharge.

Setons will leave great blemishes if care be not taken during the period they are used, especially if they are heedlessly torn away instead of drawing them out gently.

DOCKING,

Or, Amputation of a part of the Tail, is an operation which custom has made very prevalent; indeed we but rarely see a horse now-a-days whose tail has not been thus artificially shortened. The operation is simple, and the length of the tail, when docking, rests entirely at the option of the owner. Having felt for the joint which lies nearest to the length proposed, gather up the hair and turn it back in a contrary direction to its natural growth, and tie it with cord or tape two or three inches above the joint where the amputation is to take place, cutting with a pair of scissors that portion of the hair growing immediately around the joint to be severed. Having now secured the horse's head