CASTRATION. 497 



upon the cord, and securing them firmly and in such a 

 manner as to shut off the circulation. The clamps are two 

 pieces of wood, each about one foot in length, with a groove 

 running down the centre, which is intended for the reception 

 of a caustic paste or ointment, as hydrarg. biniod, or hydrarg. 

 perchloride. After the clamps are securely placed all the 

 tissues beneath should be removed wuth a sharp knife, and 

 the animal allowed to rise. The clamps may be allowed to 

 remain on for twenty-four hours, after wdiich time they 

 should be carefully removed, as, if they are removed care- 

 lessly, or torn off in a rough manner, a serious haemorrhage 

 may ensue. 



Actual cautery. — Castration by this method was much 

 practised in France and England until recently, and is 

 essentially the same method as that last described. Having 

 exposed the testicle, a steel or wooden clamp, wood being 

 preferable, is placed upon the cord in such a manner 

 as to check the circulation. The next step consists in 

 severing the cord about one half-inch below^ the clamps, 

 after which, an iron at a medium heat should be used to 

 sear the open mouths of the blood-vessels, the end of the 

 cord, etc. The iron should not be too hot, or it will 

 not effect the desired object. Some operators do not 

 use the knife at all in this operation, but expose the 

 testicle, divide the cord, etc., with the hot iron. But such 

 an operation entails much unnecessary ^Dain, and should not 

 be practised under any circumstances. Castration by this 

 method is very successful in colts of a year old, and less 

 than that age. 



Ligature. — The use of a ligature to arrest the haemorrhage 

 resulting from division of the arteries in the operation is 

 undoubtedly the most surgical of all methods employed. 

 It is, however, objected to by some practitioners of great 

 experience, who claim that the method is not a success- 



32 



