ANIMAL CASTRATION. 59 



is so changed that its lower extremity is made to 

 take the place of the upper, the cord is subjected to 

 a certain degree of torsion, and then the testicle is 

 restored to its normal position, to undergo a process 

 of atrophy which destroys its power of secretion by 

 a physiological action. The great length of the cord 

 and the greater laxity of the cellular tissue situated 

 between the dartos and the fibrous coat, render this 

 operation much easier in the ruminants than in the 

 solipeds. Simple in its manipulations, although still 

 involving a certain degree of dexterity, and followed 

 by comparatively no symptoms of reactive fever, 

 the only instrument necessary for its performance is 

 a piece of cord, twine, or rubber, sufficiently strong 

 to secure the testicular envelopes when the gland 

 has been subjected to the double displacement, and 

 the cord to the torsion it has undergone. In this 

 operation, no special preparation being demanded, 

 the animal is usually treated on his feet. 



The late Mr. Serres, of the veterinary school of 

 Toulouse, divides the operation into four steps, viz., 

 .first, the softening of the bags and separation of the 

 dartos from the fibrous tissue ; second, the displace- 

 ment (dislocation) of the testicle ; third, the torsion 

 of the cord ; and fourth, the pushing up of the testicles 

 into the inguinal region, with the application of the 

 ligature to keep them in place. 



The first step is the most difficult for the surgeon 

 as well as the most painful to the horse, though the 

 contrary is the fact where the subject is an ox. The 

 operator, stationing himself behind the animal, 



