44 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



smith's nippers or the gasfitter's tongs. We have 

 used this latter for a good many years, and have 

 found it very well adapted to the purpose required, 

 by the presence of its set of double curved and grooved 

 jaws. The twine which it is necessary to use to 

 keep the clamps closed when they have been brought 

 into perfect contact with the castrating forceps, must 

 be soft and strong. A piece of fishing line, previously 

 waxed, will answer the purpose very well. In order to 

 facilitate the traction which may be necessary to keep 

 the clamps in place, it is a good precaution to attach 

 the ends of the twine to small wooden handles 

 to protect the hands from cutting by the string. It 

 is well, also, to prepare a reserve of clamps and twine 

 against accidents from breakage or the mislaying of 

 these articles. 



COVERED OPERATION. 



Modus Operandi. The animal being thrown on 

 either side, as already described, and kept as 

 nearly as possible on his back by bundles of 

 straw packed under him on the lower side, and 

 the right hind leg secured in its proper position, and 

 the instruments placed within easy reach, the sur- 

 geon proceeds with the fourfold steps of the opera- 

 tion, consisting first, in the prehension of the left 

 testicle, or lowest in position ; second, the incision 

 through the envelopes ; third, the enucleation of the 

 testicle ; and fourth, the application and constriction 

 of the clamps. 



First step. The operation must always begin with 



