472 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



CASTRATION. 



Castration consists of the removal of the essential organs of genera- 

 tion. It is performed upon both the male and the female. In the 

 male the organs removed are the testicles and in the female the 

 ovaries. It is performed in the male for several different purposes. 

 It may be necessary, as is the case in certain diseased conditions of 

 the testicles and in strangulated hernia, but the usual object of the 

 operation is to enhance the general value of the animal. For exam- 

 ple, if the animal is intended for burden, the operation will better fit 

 him for his work by modifying his temperament and physical con- 

 dition that he may easily be controlled by his master. Again, if he 

 is merely to be used for beef purposes, the operation will improve 

 the quality of the flesh. 



The operation upon the female may be performed on account of 

 diseased conditions, but we may say that the chief object of the 

 operation is to make the animal one of more profit to its owner by 

 altering the lacteal secretion and also the physical condition. Advo- 

 cates of this operation claim that a spayed cow will milk under favor- 

 able conditions for a number of years continuously, and that the milk 

 is greatly increased in richness. Careful tests, however, indicate that 

 the value of this operation with dairy cows has been exaggerated. 

 When the cow is spayed it does away w r ith all trouble attending es- 

 trum, or heat, gestation, and parturition with its accidents and ail- 

 ments. The flesh of the spayed cow is more tender and juicy than 

 that of the entire animal. 



The operation upon the male may be either the uncovered or the 

 covered. In the former the incision is made down to the testicle 

 proper, and in the latter the cut is made through the scrotum or the 

 outside covering and through the dartos, or the next coat, care being 

 taken to cut no deeper tissues or coats. The age at which the opera- 

 tion is performed varies, but usually it is performed between the 

 second and third month. If done in early life there is less danger of 

 complications, the organs not being fully developed and in 'a latent 

 condition. There are many different methods of operating, the prin- 

 cipal ones of which we shall mention. In the uncovered operation a 

 good free incision should be made, exposing the testicle com- 

 pletely. Now it may be removed by simply cutting it off. The only 

 danger of doing this is that hemorrhage is likely to follow. To ob- 

 viate this, before the division of the spermatic cord it should be 

 twisted several times in the following manner: Take hold of the 

 spermatic cord with the left hand, having the cord between the 

 thumb and the index finger. Now twist the free portion several 

 times with the right hand, all the time being careful to push with 

 the left hand toward the body of the animal. In this way the dan- 

 ger of injury to the cord during the animal's struggles will be over- 

 come. The hemorrhage will be none, or very little, if it has been 

 done properly. This is the most simple manner of torsion. There 

 are forceps and other instruments made to perform the operation in 

 this manner. Instead of practicing torsion in any of its ways to 

 prevent hemorrhage, a ligature may be applied either directly to 



