CHAPTER XV. 



CASTRATION. 



For economic reasons, the removal of the testicles or ovaries, 

 or the destruction of their functions, often becomes necessar}'. The 

 gelding is, for most purposes, more useful than the stallion ; its 

 formation is modified, it is usually more tractable, and it can be 

 worked in company with mares, a proceeding which is seldom safe 

 in the case of stallions. The iiesh of pigs and birds becomes more 

 palatable, and the animals fatten more readily after castration. 

 Sheep fatten more quickly, and their wool becomes finer and 

 more abundant. The milking period is prolonged in the castrated 

 cow, and the danger of unsuitable animals breeding is removed. 

 Dogs are less liable to stray, and bitches cease to attract strange 

 dogs. Finally, certain diseases of the generative organs are some- 

 times cured by operation. Thus in man castration has been 

 employed for the reduction of enlarged prostate, and in the dog 

 operation for the same object was suggested b}' Dr. Clarke (see 

 ' Veterinarian,' 1895, p. 431). More recently Professor Hobday claims 

 to have had success in this direction. The pathological enlarge- 

 ment of the gland gradually diminishes. In man osteomalacia is said 

 to have been beneficially affected by castration, but how far the 

 procedure is likely to succeed in animals remains to be proved. On 

 the other hand, " spaying " in cows often removes nymphomania. 

 Castration is also indicated by the presence of malignant tumours a4id 

 fistulae, and in certain injuries of the testicles, in inguinal hernia, and 

 in the disease known in France as inaladie dii coit. 



Castration seems to have been performed on animals since the 

 earliest times, and is still an exceedingly common operation. 



