DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 186 



and have the hands and instruments thoroughly cleansed ; and it is 

 well to notice these, but you might operate without these and with 

 very bad surroundings, and have success ; but it is best to use these 

 precautions. If the horse is older than one year, then prepare him 

 for it by giving a moderate supply of food, and have the bowels 

 somewhat empty ; but it is a mistake to reduce him to any great 

 extent. There is no necessity for physic, as a general thing, unless 

 the horse was in a very gross condition ; but feed lightly, and give 

 but little bulky food. The difficulty that I have had with colts is 

 with those that have been kept in ill-ventilated parts. Before 

 operating, examine as to the state of the scrotum, whether both 

 testicles are down, or whether hernia exists. You can operate, 

 though, if hernia exists, but the operation would be slightly difficult. 

 There is great difference of opinion as to the manner of operating. 

 Secure, by means of ropes, in preference to any other ; the straps 

 that are used may be u°ed, if help is scarce ; but when help is plenty, 

 use the ropes. Some operate while the animal is standing, but it 

 requires some dexterity and practice. Cutting into the testicle 

 quickly subdues an animal. The most careful way is to throw 

 the animal. I recommend throwing him in most cases, at least. 

 After securing him, it is sometimes advisable to cleanse out the 

 sheath and penis by washing it with nice warm water and soap, 

 which tends to prevent swelling to some extent. The operation 

 may be done by compression, which is by the caustic clams, and 

 this is the way it is generally done in Canada and the United States, 

 and I believe there is no way more easy or simple. Take hold of the 

 testicle and make a keen incision, and expose the testicle, taking the 

 smallest first ; make the incision close to the raphe ; make a pretty 

 free incision, and allow the testicle to escape, then divide non- 

 vascular part of the cord, and then apply the clam ; however, some 

 apply the clam to all of it, and they use a certain amount of caustic, 

 as corrosive sublimate or biniodide of mercury, about one part of 

 corrosive sublimate, two of biniodide of mercury, and thirty or 

 forty parts of lard ; this destroys the parts more quickly. After 

 applying the clam remove the testicle, and keep the clam on for 

 twenty-four or forty-eight hours. This method is the one oftenest 

 used in this country, and with the greatest success. 



Actual Cautery was used until recently in England. The method is 

 just the same as by the clam ; secure the animal, get hold of the 

 testicle, etc., place the clam on the cord and secure it, then take hold 

 of the testicle and cut it off about one-half inch from the clam, then 

 take a piece of sponge and cleanse out the blood, then take a red 

 hot iron, letting it cool to a slight extent — grease it a little to prevent 

 it from adhering— and sear the artery and the other parts. Others 

 not only arrest the hemorrhage, but cut through the scrotum to the 

 testicle with the hot iron, apply the clam and cut the cord off 

 with the iron. I frequently use actual cautery in connection with 

 the caustic clam. 



Ligature is another method, and I would oppose ligaturing the 

 whole cord ; but if only the artery ligatured, I cannot see any great 

 objection to it. Take hold of it with the bull-dog forceps and 

 ligature it either with silk thread or carbonized suture. Williams is 

 opposed to ligaturing. 



Tortion is another method, which is not new, but a very old 

 method. For this it is necessary to throw the animal and expose 

 the testicle and cord, cut through the nonraascular part of the cord. 



