CHAPTER XXXVI. 



CASTRATION. 



CASTRATION — PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED BEFORE THE OPERATION 



IS PERFORMED — METHODS OF OPERATING CONSEQUENCES OF 



CASTRATION — SWELLING HERNIA SCIRRHOUS CORD — FISTULA 



OF THE SCROTUM — PERITONITIS — GANGRENE TETANUS — PARA- 

 LYSIS — AMAUROSIS— GLANDERS AND FARCY. 



The operation by which the horse is emasculated is generally 

 performed upon him when he is about one year old, and at a 

 season of the year when the weather is neither too hot nor too 

 cold ; the latter end of April or the beginning of May is the 

 period generally fixed upon. This time of the year and the 

 age of the animal are sanctioned by universal custom, and for 

 the reasons that the colt is sufficiently strong to bear the 

 operation without much danger, and that the young grass is 

 becoming ready for him when he has recovered. Colts thin and 

 low in the neck should form exceptions to the general rule, 

 and ought to be allowed a few months more time " to furnish " 

 before being operated upon. 



Precautions to he observed hefoix operating. — 1st. To examine the 

 scrotum, in order to ascertain if hernia be present, and whether 

 tlie testicles have descended, for in some instances, either from 

 narrowness of the inguinal canal, deficiency of force in the con- 

 traction of the gabernaculum testes, or some other cause, the 

 testicles, or one of them, may be retained in the abdominal 

 cavity. 



2d. Not to operate upon a thin, weakly colt, nor upon one 

 suffering from any disease. 



2>d. Not to operate during very cold weather, when an 

 easterly wind is blowing, nor in sultry weather, when flies 

 prevaiL 



