220 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



back and the wound sowed up. If they protrude to a consider- 

 able extent, ii is almost useless to try to save the animal. Cas- 

 tration can he performed on a ruptured animal by what is known 

 as the "covered operation,' 7 but this shouldn't be undertaken ex- 

 cept by an experienced veterinarian. 



SEEDY CORD. This is the formation of a tumor on or in con- 

 nection with the cord, caused by rough handling or dragging 

 upon the cord, or by leaving it too long, which adheres to the 

 side of the wound and begins a fibrous growth. Castrating with 

 the clamps is the most frequent cause of this, as the clamps hold 

 and stretch the cord down for one, two or three days, and after 

 they are removed the cord has lost its power of retracting and 

 is very liable to adhere to the sides of the wound and cause seedy- 

 cord, or water-<eed. These tumors generally keep on growing, 

 and sometimes become of an enormous size, making it almost im- 

 possible for the animal to walk. The only remedy for this trou- 

 ble is to thoroughly dissect them out. If taken before the tumor 

 is very large it can be removed with not much trouble, but when 

 the growth is of several months standing only a qualified vet- 

 erinarian should undertake the operation. 



CASTRATING RIDGLINGS. A ridgling is an animal where one 

 or both of his testicles has never come down. They are either 

 lodged in the channel (inguinal canal) or in the abdominal cav- 

 ity. The castrating of these animals is a very difficult task, and 

 one that we can not explain so that the unprofessional mind can 

 understand the operation. The testicle has no certain place to 

 be lodged, but has several places where it is liable to be found. 

 Although it is a serious and severe operation, yet if it is under- 

 taken hv a pcr>on thoroughlv versed in the anatomy of the parts, 

 and who understand^ the operation, there is no particular danger 

 to the animal. Kidglings are as a rule very mean, ugly-disposi- 

 lioned animal-, and are not al all desirable to have about. Al- 



