176 



HEALTH AND DISEASE 



In the uncovered operation all the .structures enveloping the testicle are 

 cut through, and the gland is fully exposed The clamps are then adjusted 

 over the spermatic cord only (Plate LVI, fig. 1), in the same manner 

 as in the covered operation, but a little more above the testis. When 

 securely clamped the testicles may be removed or left to slough away. 



The clamps employed in the operation of castration are sometimes grooved 

 (fig. 521) along the centre for the accommodation of a charge of caustic paste, 

 which, acting on the tissues of the cord, brings about their more immediate 

 destruction. 



Standing Operation. — It has been previously remarked that an 

 element of danger necessarily enters into the act of casting horses and 



retaining them in a fixed 

 position on the ground. 

 The risk is comparatively 

 small in connection with 

 colts, whose tissues are 

 elastic; but injuries aris- 

 ing from this cause hav- 

 ing from time to time 

 occurred to animals of 

 great value, an exag- 

 gerated importance has 

 been attached to it, 

 hence the standing operation, which in recent years has been largely 

 adopted, both by veterinary surgeons and the ordinary castrator. 



The usual plan of the standing operator is to have the subject placed 

 against a padded wall or partition in which a strong ring staple is fixed, 

 and a running noose through it is passed ove.r the animal's withers, whereby 

 it is possible to keep him from turning round. A twitch is placed upon 

 the upper lip in the usual way, and then by dint of threats and feints and 

 the pain of the twitch together, the colt is induced to remain upon Ins feet. 

 Many colts can be induced to stand with no other restraint than the twitch, 

 as the fact of having the testes firmly held prevents them from kicking or 

 striking. One effect of the pain they suffer is to make them crouch in a 

 manner inconvenient to the operator. To keep them on their feet is the 

 chief difficulty, and despite the twitch, shouts, and gestures of those who 

 adopt this method, some will lie down. Taking advantage of the upright 

 position the castrator grasps the scrotum in the left hand, and with a clean 

 stroke of the knife liberates first one testicle and then the other. The 

 testicles being liberated from the scrotum, there remains a choice of methods 

 as to their removal. Some apply the caustic clamp, the central groove of 



Fig. 522. — " Reliance " Castrator 



