CASTRATION. 567 



caustic of some sort. I once introduced — so long ago as 

 1821 — potassa fiisa into the clams; but this proved too 

 active, the testicles after a few hours dropping off into my 

 hands; and besides, it proved objectionable on account of 

 its propensity to liquefy and spread. Although no more 

 than two pairs of clams are actually required, it is as well 

 to have a third pair loaded, ready, in case of accident. 



We will suppose the horse to have been prepared for the 

 operation in the manner already prescribed for that of 

 cauterization, and to be cast and bound upon his near side, 

 likewise, as afore directed, and the operator to be ready with 

 his instruments and apparatus, which had better be spread upon 

 a board or tray, and handed to him according as required by 

 his assistant. The incipient steps of the operation are also 

 the same as those for cauterization, save that in this case the 

 left or undermost^ testicle is to be first operated on. After 

 dividing the scrotum, whether he proceed or not to incise 

 the tunica vaginalis, and lay bare the testicle, will depend 

 upon which operation he is about to perform, the covered or 

 the uncovered. Supposing it is to be the latter — the one 

 commonly practised — the vaginal tunic is to be cut or slit 

 open, the same as is done in the former operation. The 

 operator grasps the bare testicle,^ and then, drawing it out, 

 maintains that steady extension of the cord which is requi- 

 site to enable his assistant to place the clams properly upon 

 it ; which done, he takes the clams in his (own) left hand, 



' In the operations by cauterization, ligature, or torsion, it is desirable to re- 

 move the testicle lying uppermost first, in order that it may be out of the 

 operator's way when he conies to extract the other stone : but should he be 

 going to use the pressure clams, he will find it very inconvenient unless he 

 operate first upon the testicle underneath. 



' It often will happen in strong colts— always in old horses— that as soon as 

 the bare testicle is grasped, retraction of the cord will instantly take place, and 

 with such force, perhaps, as to require considerable strength and steadiness in 

 the hand of the operator to maintain the testicle. He must, however, firmly and 

 steadily do so, and maintain all his steadiness and firmness until he has tired out 

 the resisting efforts of the creraastcr ; which sooner or later must ensue, and 

 of which he will have notice given him by a violent struggle on the part of the 

 animal. Then will the cord become all at once relaxed, and the testicle so much 

 under his control, that he can easily now make the required elongation, (o fix 



