50 ANIMAL CASTEATION. 



value, we consider that it is more than balanced by 

 the advantages attendant upon this special mode of 

 castration, and while we fully appreciate the difficulty 

 and inconvenience to which the surgeon may be sub- 

 jected by this second visit, we cannot approve of its 

 omission, either from a surgical point of view or in 

 that of the interests of the employers, in whose be- 

 half all care and responsibility should be exercised, 

 until the patient is at least enjoying a fair prospect 

 of recovery. 



The question now arises, at what time can the 

 clamp be removed with safety ? It must be under- 

 stood that there may sometimes be peculiar surgical 

 conditions under which their removal is contra-indi- 

 cated, and when they must be allowed to slough off 

 without further interference on our part. But even 

 in ordinary cases and under favorable circumstances, 

 this time appears to vary. By some they are re- 

 moved after thirty-six hours, while others allow them 

 to remain for a period of four or five days. Taking 

 a fair average, we are of opinion that it may be safely 

 done on about the third day, and that at that period 

 the closing of the artery is sufficiently assured to re- 

 move all further pressure. 



If the clamps have been secured with twine, and 

 especially if they were properly prepared previously 

 to their application, the process of removal is a very 

 simple one. The assistant, raising one of the patient's 

 hind legs, the operator places himself directly be- 

 hind the animal, and bending down, with a sharp 

 sage-knife, cuts the twine where it has secured the 



