It is true that this part of the business belongs properly to the veterinary surgeon, but the Farrier should at all events understand what is proper to be done in any ordinary disorder or in cases of emergency. He will of course know how to use the fleam when the animals require bleeding, as they frequently do. This instrument is a sort of knife, the sharp part of which is the small spade-shaped pieces at the ends of the blades. The ladle for melting the ingredients of ointment, for sprains or swellings, and the spatula for mixing it, or for spreading and mixing the drugs for boluses or the large pills frequently given to horses, are some of the instruments used in this part of the Farrier’s business.
THE NEEDLE MAKER.
GRINDING NEEDLE POINTS.
There is perhaps no implement of greater importance than that smallest of all tools, the needle, and in all civilized countries the number of needles consumed is so great, and such an enormous supply is required for the sewing of the clothes of mankind, that the manufacture is one of the most remarkable in this country, whence by far the greater part of the whole supply is derived.
It will only be proper in this place for the author to acknowledge his obligations to Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, whose most useful little work on “Common Objects” affords brief and reliable information on this as well as on many other interesting subjects.
The material from which needles are made is soft steel wire of the requisite degree of fineness. This is obtained from the manufacturer in large coils, each containing sufficient wire to form several thousand needles. These coils are first cut up into pieces of the length required to make two needles, usually about three inches, large shears being used, capable of cutting a coil of one hundred wires.
Shears. Needles placed in iron rings. Soft Straight Liner. Trowel for hardening.