CASTRATION. 657 



day may be said to comprise seveu different modes of procedure 

 — by cauterization, by compression or by caustic, or by both in 

 combination ; by ligature ; by torsion ; by scraping ; by the 

 barbarous operation of plucking or ^'tearing out^^ the testicles 

 with the hand, which was once practised upon horses, and still 

 continues in use for small animals ; having been, at least as far 

 as the former is concerned, very properly abandoned, though 

 not so much on account of any danger, in proper hands, 

 attending the operation, as from the unscientific and barba- 

 rous aspect such an operation puts on. The late Professor 

 Coleman used to relate the case of an old stallion, in which 

 this operation of laceration or tearing-out was executed with 

 success. First, one testicle was torn out without any con- 

 sequent alarming hemorrhage ; then, after the lapse of a 

 few days, its fellow was extracted. Had both spermatic 

 chords been lacerated, at the same operation, dangerous 

 bleeding might probably have ensued. 



In regard to season and weather. — The operator 

 ought — where he can — to object to castrate either during 

 very cold or very sultry weather, or at the time when the horse 

 is shedding his coat, or in the season when, or in the situation 

 where, flies prevail. These precautions will especially 

 demand attention should our subject be an aged horse, or one 

 that has been up to the moment highly groomed or fed. The 

 season to be preferred is, late in the spring, after the horse 

 has shed his coat, and before the flies have begun to make 

 their appearance. 



Preparation of some sort is, in most cases, recommended; 

 and it is indispensable that the subject for operation be at the 

 time in a state of sound health. Should he be a colt at 

 grass, nothing beyond confining him in some pUice where he 

 can procure nothing to eat for the twelve hours preceding 

 the operation will be necessary. More than this will, how- 

 ever, be requisite when we have to deal with a colt or stone- 

 horse standing in the stable, and particularly in the case of 

 an aged stallion or one in high condition. In his case, 

 mashing for some days, coupled with a dose of physic or 

 two, may be called for, or bloodletting may seem advisable ; 



