CASTRATION 171 



whichever may need it. The complete straightening of the limb is not 

 always immediately apparent, as in long-standing cases numerous adhesions 

 may still prevent the heel from being brought to the ground, unless they are 

 put upon the stretch and broken by forcible extension of the leg while the 

 animal is under control. Where no such adhesions exist, the patient at 

 once puts the heel down and the toe has a tendency to turn up. 



After-treatment consists in keeping the wound aseptic by bandaging 

 with suitable dressings (see Antiseptics Employed in the Treatment of 

 Wounds) for a few days, during which it may be expected to heal. Tying 

 up the animal's head to prevent interference with the limb is always desirable. 



When the tendons have reunited and the new connecting material has 

 become firm and dense, the horse may be turned into a soft meadow for two 

 or three months until the parts have regained their original strength. 



The application of a repetition of blisters to the leg will reduce any 

 slight enlargement which may result from the operation, and if at the 

 same time the patient be subjected to a course of iodide of potassium a 

 still better result may be effected. 



The success of the operation is generally greater in the fore than the 

 hind limbs, but very much depends on the time which is allowed for repair. 

 The posterior extremities having to bear the strain of propulsion in heavy 

 draught, require that reparation be thoroughly completed before the horse 

 resumes work, and for this reason a longer time should be allowed. 



More or less thickening of the tendons always remains after the opera- 

 tion, but by keeping the wound thoroughly aseptic this will be very much 

 under control. 



The only operation of much practical value is that on the back tendons 

 of the leg. 



CASTRATION 



The necessity of this operation, at least so far as the British Islands are 

 concerned, is its justification. There are not wanting extreme humani- 

 tarians who are prepared to deny the necessity of castration, and point 

 to the fact of entire animals being employed to a considerable extent in 

 European capitals. In the omnibuses of Paris, stallions are commonly 

 found yoked together, and apparently upon good terms with each other. 

 In this country it has been proved dangerous and inconvenient to employ 

 them for such purposes. We may claim, too, that the custom of castration 

 having been general for centuries, has tended to the survival of the fittest, 

 and that being so, our horses are in every respect superior to those of other 

 countries, and being more high-spirited, are consequently dangerous for 

 general use when not emasculated. It is obvious that breeds cannot be 



