126 MODERN FARRIER. 



from the inside of the ears, that the internal ear 

 must be exposed to be considerably injured, parti- 

 cularly from cold, dust, kc. which blunts the sense 

 of hearing, and perhaps causes deafness ; for it is ob- 

 served in those horses who have been much used to 

 this treatment, that they lose that lively, active mo- 

 tion of the ears, and appear dull and inattentive to 

 what passes around them, and even to the voice of 

 their keeper. 



72. Castration, 



This operation is found of use as rendering horses 

 more mild and tractable ; but it is disputed whether 

 the loss of strength and spirit, which the animal sus- 

 tains, does not more than counterbalance this ad- 

 vantage. 



The best mode of performing this usual operation 

 is, to throw the horse on some convenient spot, on 

 the off side, and when down, let the off hind-leg be 

 drawn towards the neck, by which the scrotum wiU 

 be fairly exposed. Holding the scrotum firmly, 

 make a cut at once through it, not of too great 

 length, but sufficient to admit the testicle being 

 pressed out ; this being done, apply the clams or a 

 pair of nippers on the cord within an inch of the 

 testicle, and hold the clams sufficiently tight to stop 

 the flow of blood, but not to bruise the cord ; the 

 stone may then be cut off with a scalpel, or it may 

 be seared off with a burning knife. If it is cut off 

 with a scalpel, immediately before the clams let go 

 their hold, sear the end of the cord. Some apply a 

 little powdered resin on it before searing, after which 

 the clams may be loosened. When this is finished, 

 proceed to remove the other in the same manner. 



After both are removed, a pledget of lint, wetted 

 in warmed spirits, may be introduced just within 

 the edges of each wound ; but no salt should by any 

 means be introduced, as is the practice of some far- 



