DISEASES OF CATTLE 473 



the spermatic artery from which the hemorrhage comes, or to the 

 entire cord. Either a silk or a catgut ligature may be used. The 

 actual cautery is an old method, but we shall not describe it, as we 

 consider that we have better methods now. The next method with 

 the clamps, although extensively used upon the horse, is not prac- 

 ticed to any great extent upon the bovine at the present time. It is 

 a very old method, and is considered very safe. Clamps are used in 

 the covered and uncovered operations. 



But more simple and better methods are now known for the 

 castration of the bull. A more modern method is by the ecraseur. 

 The chain of the instrument is placed around the spermatic cord 

 and tightened so as to crush the tissues and thus prevent hemorr- 

 hage. The clamp and ligature are the methods principally em- 

 ployed in the covered operation. 



The operation of mulling, or crushing, the spermatic cord is 

 an unscientific and barbarous procedure, causing unnecessary pain 

 and suffering. 



The above methods apply only to the animal in a normal con- 

 dition. Before operating always examine and be sure that every- 

 thing is as it should be. If otherwise, a special operative pro- 

 cedure will be necessary. Whichever mode of operation be adopted 

 from a practical standpoint, the principal precautions to be taken 

 in order to attain success are as follows: First, thorough cleanli- 

 ness under strict aseptic and antiseptic precautions; second, a free 

 and boldly made incision; third, the avoidance of undue pulling 

 or tension upon the spermatic cord; fourth, free drainage, which 

 can be maintained, provided the original incision has been prop- 

 erly made. 



CASTRATION OF THE FEMALE. 



Ovariotomy (Spaying). The operation should be performed 

 when the cow is in her prime and giving her greatest flow of milk, 

 care being taken that she is in good health and moderate condi- 

 tion, not too plethoric ; or, on the other hand, she must not be at all 

 anemic, and also that she be not in heat or pregnant. This opera- 

 tion may be performed in one of two ways namely, by the flank or 

 by the vaginaeach operation having its special advantages. In 

 the flank operation the animal may be operated upon either while 

 standing or while in the recumbent position. If standing, she should 

 be placed against a wall or a partition, and her head held by a 

 strong assistant. The legs also must be secured to prevent the ani- 

 mal from kicking. A vertical incision should be made in the left 

 flank, about the middle of the upper portion, care being taken not 

 to make the opening too far down, in order to avoid the division 

 of the circumflex artery which traverses that region. The operator 

 should now make an opening through the peritoneum, which is best 

 done with the fingers. Next introduce the hand and arm into the 

 abdominal cavity and direct the hand backward toward the pelvis, 

 searching for the horns of the uterus. Follow them up and the 

 ovaries will easily be found. They should then be drawn outward, 

 and may be removed either by the ecraseur or by torsion. Closing 



