COMMON SURGICAL OPERATIONS


DEHORNING CATTLE.--It is very often necessary to remove the horns of cattle
in order to prevent their injuring or worrying certain individuals in the
herd. This operation is of greatest economic importance in dairy and
feeding cattle. When first practised, the dehorning of mature cattle was
condemned by some persons who deemed it an inhuman and unnecessary
operation. It is surely a humane act to remove the horns of cattle that are
confined in small yards and pastures, and prevent them from painfully, or
seriously, injuring one another.

In most localities there are men who are well equipped to dehorn cattle,
and able to perform this operation for a very moderate fee. It is not
advisable to attempt to dehorn a number of adult cattle if the operator is
not well equipped for the work. Unless a well-constructed dehorning rack is
available for confining the animals, there is danger of injuring them and
it is very difficult to saw off the horn quickly and satisfactorily. This
increases the pain that the animal suffers, and horn stubs soon develop.

Good equipment, such as a chute, saw or clippers, is necessary. A dehorning
chute should be built of plank with a good frame well bolted together, with
stanchion and nose block for confining the head. Most operators prefer a
meat saw for cutting off the horns. It is preferable to dehorning shears,
as there is danger of fracturing the frontal bone when removing the horns
of mature cattle. The best form of dehorning shears have a wide V in the
cutting edge.

_The operation is very simple_. The horn should be cut off at a point from