500 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



a few quick turns of the screw. As soon as the chain 

 begins to compress the cord tightly, the revolutions of the 

 screw should proceed more slowly, and should be steady. 

 In a few seconds the chain completes its passage through 

 the cord, the latter escapes into the vaginal sac, and the 

 operation is finished — no loss of blood having occurred 

 except such as results from a slight venous haemorrhage 

 taking place from the scrotum, etc. 



Scraping. — Division of the cord by scraping it with a 

 knife is sometimes practised, and is the method usually 

 followed in China. This operation may be performed 

 successfully in young animals, but is accompanied by con- 

 siderable risk. 



Bruising the Testicles is a barbarous practice, and de- 

 serving of no notice. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

 CASTRATION, (RESULTS OF). 



The results of castration are normal and abnormal. 



Swelling. — There is usually more or less swelling of the 

 parts observed, in a day or two after the operation. This 

 may be considered as a normal result, and so long as no 

 constitutional symptoms are manifested, as fever, loss of 

 appetite, etc., needs no comment. The swelling may take 

 on an oedematous character, and cause phymosis, in which 

 case relief may be afforded by puncturing or scarifying the 

 swollen parts, and bathing nicely with tepid water; the 

 food should be of a laxative character, and the animal 

 should be exercised gently every day, or turned out on 

 pasture. 



Suppuration. — Suppuration may be regarded as a normal 

 result of castration, as it almost invariably follows the oper- 



