CASTRATION OF STALLIONS BY CLAMS. 



215 



tion ot the cremaster muscle be long continued, the animal may be 

 struck smartly with the open hand, but as a rule the testicle can be 

 drawn forward without difficulty as soon as the first struggles have 

 subsided. 



The operator then grasps a suitable clam with the left hand 

 and passes it from in front backwards over the spermatic cord (which 

 should be flattened out as much as possible), giving the clam such 

 a direction that it will hang horizontally when the animal is standing, 

 and will at least be above the epididymis. When the cord is 

 exceptionally long the clam should be applied proportionally higher ; 

 it may, in fact, be placed as high as possible, without exercising undue 

 tension on the cord. 



The posterior (open) ends of the clam having been compressed \\'ith 

 the fingers of the left 

 hand so that it firmly 

 grasps the spermatic 

 cord, the testicle may 

 be released and, the 

 hold on the clam hav- 

 ing been transferred 

 from the left to the 

 right hand, the screw 

 or forceps may be 

 applied. During the 

 closure of the clam by 

 either of these instru- 

 ments the animal 

 usually becomes rest- 

 less, and struggles 

 unless previously an- 

 aesthetised. To prevent injury or tearing ot the 

 the twitch may be shaken whilst the forceps or 

 closed, and the clam itself can be pressed against the animal's 

 abdomen. The operator should have made sure while applying the 

 clam that no part of the scrotum was included in it, but in any 

 case at this stage of the operation he should again examine the parts 

 before finally securing the clam with cord. Care is also required to 

 prevent the spermatic cord slipping beyond the crushing surface of the 

 clam. Provided all is found satisfactory, the clam is secured by a 

 surgical knot, drawn very tightly. The spermatic cord is then divided 

 with scissors, one half to one inch below the clam. Should the 

 spermatic cord be ^'ery short a fragment of the epididymis ma}' be left 



^ 





Fig. 244. 



l£"'i- 



spermatic 

 screw is 



cord 

 being 



