PRECAUTIONS BEFORE OPERATING. 643 



Aili. Kot to operate npon an animal, of any age, whicli is 

 confined in an ill-ventilated, ill-drained, or otherwise unhealthy 

 shed or stable ; nor upon one stabled along with a great number 

 of horses. 



bth. To recommend that all colts intended for the operation 

 should have a daily allowance of corn for a few weeks prior to 

 being cut. 



Qth. To be very careful that all the instruments required for 

 the operation be scrupulously clean, and the scalpels sharp. 



^th. If the practitioner has conducted a post-mortem examina- 

 tion of any animal, or has attended a case of parturition, or has 

 performed any operation calculated to produce a taint that may 

 cling to his clothes, hands, or instruments, he is to delay 

 performing the operation of castration for at least one day 

 thereafter. 



This last precaution is very important, and I may add to it, 

 that colts should not be cut near the dissecting-room of any 

 veterinary college. 



Preparation for the Operation. — If the colt be in good con- 

 dition, and fit for the operation, he is merely to be kept short 

 of bulky food, and to be stinted in his water for a few hours 

 prior to the operation. It is a mistake to starve the animal 

 for a day or two, as is the custom in some districts ; and he 

 should have a smaU feed of corn on the morning prior to being 

 cut. If the colt be not in condition for the operation, it must 

 not be performed for some weeks, the animal to be well fed in 

 the meantime. 



In the case of an older animal, which has covered or has 

 been otherwise worked before being cut, no preparation is 

 necessary, provided he is in working condition; but if he is 

 fat, has been standing idle for some time, or from other causes 

 is out of working condition, he should be prepared by one or 

 two purgative doses, regular exercise, and good hard food. It 

 is an error to suppose that the strength and vital powers of a 

 horse should be reduced before he is operated upon. He cannot 

 possess too much health and strength. In fact, a horse, to 

 stand an operation well, ought to be in the condition of a prize- 

 fighter when prepared for battle. 



The animal — whatever his age may be — being deemed in 

 fit condition for the operation, the practitioner will proceed to 



