204 CASTRATION OF MALE RUMINANTS. 



convenient instrument for the castration of colts in the standing 

 position. 



(f) Ligation of the Spermatic Cord is seldom practised on the stallion. 

 Its disadvantage consists in the fact that the ligature material 

 remains in the wounds, causing irritation, and sometimes inducing 

 chronic funiculitis. The use of catgut does not overcome this draw- 

 back, because it is not absorbed as rapidly from the stump of the 

 spermatic cord as from an aseptic granulation surface ; experiment 

 has shown that absorption requires at least one or two weeks. 



Moreover ligation of the spermatic cord is not so easy as might 

 be imagined. Even when the ligature seems quite tight it may slip 

 or become loose from the pulsations of the artery. Should the 

 operator decide to castrate by ligation of the cords, several methods 

 are open to him (see p. 188). The most surgical method is ligation 

 of the spermatic artery in continuity, and when carefully performed 

 with antiseptic precautions is quite safe. 



Finally, it should be said that in castration less depends on the 

 method than on the way it is practised. As the method most 

 commonly employed is usually best carried out, it results that many 

 practitioners after a short trial of a new method, return to their older 

 procedure. Handiness and cleanliness exercise a marked influence 

 on the success of operation. As regards cleanliness, one can never 

 be too thorough, and although complete asepsis may not be secured, 

 cleanliness, nevertheless, remains an important factor in ensuring 

 success. 



(2) CASTBATION OF MALE EUMINANTS. 



Although the same principles apply to the castration of ruminants 

 as to that of horses, yet variations in anatomical arrangement of 

 the organs of generation and in external circumstances necessitate 

 numerous modifications. Apart from goats, which appear par- 

 ticularly sensitive to ordinary methods of castration, ruminants 

 seem to bear operation better than horses. Bull calves may be 

 castrated by torsion or ligation, the elastic ligature being used if 

 desired. Older animals may be castrated with clams by the covered 

 method, or the emasculator may be used. 



Bulls bear castration best during the first year of life, an age at 

 which the operation is also most easily performed. Bull calves 

 destined for early slaughter are usually castrated when two or three 

 months old. Should the animals be intended for draught purposes, 



