208 



OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



clam, bleeding is seen to have ceased. To prevent the iron adhering 

 to the stump of the cord some operators apply a little oil before 

 cauterising. 



8. Castration with Clams. — On the Continent this method was 

 until recenth' the most popular for horses, bulls, and old boars. It 

 ma}' be divided into two varieties : 



(a) Castration witli exposure of the testicle. 



(b) Castration witJwnt exposnre of tJie testicle {the covered operation). 



(a) In the first method a long incision is made through the lower 

 surface of the scrotum, parallel with the middle line, di\'iding the outer 

 skin, tunica dartos, and external vaginal covering, exposing the testicle 

 and spermatic cord. The cord, having been flattened out, is then 



Fig. 238. — Wooden clams. 



enclosed in a pair of clams, consisting of two pieces of wood about four 

 to eight inches long, and i inch to -f inch broad, united at one end by 

 means of a cord or hinge. The open ends are brought together with 

 special forceps and powerfully compressed, allowing a second cord, a 

 small iron ring, or a leather cap to be applied for the purpose of 

 fastening them together. After twenty-four hours the clams are 

 removed, though the}' may be left in position for two or three days, or 

 still longer. 



The clams should be made of hard, tough, light wood, like birch, 

 ash, or hickory. The edges should be well rounded to prevent 

 injury of and bleeding from the plexus pampiniformis, which is 



