572 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



dangerous operation, when not judiciously performed ; 

 and some lambs die on the day they are castrated. 

 The second and third days, however, are those on 

 which it may be judged of the probability of safely sur- 

 viving it. 



Strict attention should be paid to the state of the 

 weather when castration is performed : the atmosphere 

 should be dry, but not too warm, and, if possible, the 

 lambs which have been gelded kept in a dry, quiet, 

 and sheltered situation, until the inflammation has 

 subsided. If wet weather comes on, it would be 

 prudent to have them removed to a shed, or barn, but 

 not too many crowded into one place, as they should 

 have room to move about freely. The operation 

 should not be performed when the nights are frosty. 



INFLAMED UDDER, ETC. 



When the ewe is suckling, she is liable to inflam- 

 mation as well as to hard tumours, in the udder. These 

 are caused by obstructions in the lacteals, or milk- 

 vessels ; and unless they are speedily removed, morti- 

 fication will ensue in two or three days. When 

 tumours are discovered, the ewe should be taken into 

 the house, the wool must be cut closely off, and the 

 hard parts frequently rubbed with camphorated spirit of 

 wine and goulard water, in the proportion of three 

 parts of the former to one of the latter. Should the 

 parts not get softened by the means recommended, and 

 suppuration appear likely to follow, in that case the 

 tumours should be opened with a lancet, and the 

 wound carefully dressed with Friar's balsam. It some- 

 times happens that the loss of one or both teats follow 

 this complaint ; when this is the case, then the best 

 way is to fatten the ewe, and dispose of her, as she 

 will never afterwards be adapted for breeding from. 



