20-2 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



3. Castrating with Clamps. 



Clamps are generally made out of cedar,' from four to 

 five inches long, hollowed out in the centre and loaded with 

 green salve, the receipt of which may be found in Part V. 

 Tie one end of the clamp with strong carriage trimmers' 

 twine and leave the other end loose. Take hold of the testicle 

 with the left hand and cut lengthwise into the scrotum, or 

 bag, with a sharp knife, close to the median raphe. Always have 

 the knife sharp, and make a sufficiently large cut to allow the 

 testicle to slip out ; then take hold of the testicle with the left 

 hand and the clamp with the right and slip it over the cord, 

 draw the cord just moderately tight and spread it out in the 

 clamp. Tighten the clamp at the end that is not tied, with 

 castrating pincers, and tie this end securely tight with the 

 twine mentioned. Take off the pincers and operate on the 

 other testicle in a similar manner. When this is done, cut off 

 the testicles and part of the cord, leaving about half an inch 

 of it below the clamps. In this way the clamps are prevented 

 from slipping off. 



To load the clamps some use red precipitate — two grains 

 to an ounce of lard or vaseline. We ourselves use and recom- 

 mend the green salve, the recipe for which is given in Part V. 



4. Castrating with the Ecraseur. 



This is a new method of operation, and gives results that 

 are satisfactory in the majority of cases. In our opinion it is 

 the best and most humane. No clamps are used. Open the 

 scrotum and allow the testicles to protrude in the same 

 manner as if clamps were to be used, being careful to make 

 the opening sufficiently large. When the testicle protrudes 

 sufficiently far from the opening in the scrotum, pour some 

 carbolized sweet oil (five drops of carbolic acid to an ounce 

 of sweet oil) around the cords and into the scrotum. Oil it 

 thoroughly in order to prevent healing by the first intention — 

 not a good thing in castration. Slip the testicle through the 

 chain at the end of the ecraseur. Shove it up as far as 

 possible on the cord without pulling or using force. Should 

 the colt pull upon the cord it is better to suspend operation 

 for a time until he ceases, as the length of the cord cannot be 

 ascertained unless it is slack when the ecraseur is placed at 

 the proper point. Tighten up the instrument by means of the 

 screw until the testicle is squeezed off. This makes a 

 peculiarly dull cut different from that of a sharp knife and 



