8 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



AGE. 



The question, " at what age can an entire animal 

 be altered?" admits of a simple answer, to wit, "as 

 soon as the testicles can be easily reached as soon 

 as they appear outside of the abdominal cavity, and 

 are found in the inguinal canal." But although it 

 can be performed at that epoch, or deferred to any 

 period of after life, it must be remembered that it is 

 easier and less dangerous in young than in older ani- 

 mals, and that with the former it is a simple opera- 

 tion, producing, ordinarily, no noticeable alteration 

 in the other functions, and but rarely followed by 

 accidents. 



A period between eighteen months and two years 

 is generally preferred for horses, though, according 

 to some authors, even a much earlier date may be 

 chosen, some English veterinarians being accustomed 

 to operate at as early a date as ten days from birth* 

 It is immaterial, however, at what precise time the 

 operation may be performed, since it is a conceded 

 point that the earlier it is done the better. 



SEASON. 



When it is possible to choose the season most fa- 

 vorable for the operation, and for securing the best 

 chances of recovery, tljfi ^prifig 3 >-ei a -41ieLfiarlj - sta^e^ L 

 j)f_J]ie_jall^ae those to which the operator should 

 give the preference, provided the atmospheric tem- 

 perature is moderate and not susceptible to sudden 

 variations. It is to be remembered that at some 



