CASTRATION.] 



M01")T:rvX VETERINARY PRACTICE. 



[CARTEATIOir. 



fail, if proper care were taken ; alllu)ii';li it is 

 a matter of WDinler to us that many horses 

 do not die, from the nninh brutal manner 

 in wliielv the operation is pertornied in aomo 

 counties. Some veterinariana will not per- 

 form the operation at all, as it requires all the 

 skill of the surgeon. 



AVhilst serving in India, there was a case in 

 which we were con.sulted, the subject of which 

 was a beautiful chestnut horse. Although he 

 was perfectly quiet and docile, the scrotum 

 had become so much enlarged in one of the 

 sacs, that it hung down within a few inches of 

 the hock of the animal. On examining this, 

 the testicle was found remarkably small ; but 

 it contained a considerable quantity of fluid, 

 which proved the fact that the horse was 

 affected with hydrocele. The fluid could 

 readily have been extracted ; but fearing the 

 bag might fill again, it was determined to per- 

 form an operation. Accordingly, on cutting 

 through the tunics of the scrotum, at least 

 three quarts of yellowish fluid escaped. At 

 this time it was difficult to retain hold of the 

 testicle, from the considerable enlargement of 

 the scrotum. However, this was done, and 

 the clams put well on ; but not being con- 

 tented with doing well, the testicle was imme- 

 diately removed with a scalpel, leaving the 

 cord only within the clams. AVith the hor.-.Vs 

 struggles, and the cremaster muscle being oa 

 the stretch, he easily withdrew it from be- 

 tween that instrument, when the cord of 

 course receded into the sac, and bleeding com- 

 menced most furiously. A straight needle was 

 then taken, and the glover's suture intro- 

 duced, when the scrotum filled with blood to a 

 tremendous extent. The horse was then 

 ordered to be kept quiet by himself, and six 

 drachms of aloes given him, with bran mashes 

 and hay. On the following day, the scrotum 

 was immensely large. Some warm water and 

 a sponge was then procured, and the stitches 

 becun to be cut. When this was done, it was 

 found that three parts of a common stable- 

 pailful of coagulated blood came tumbling 

 down through the orifice made for the escape 

 of the testicle. The scrotum was now well 

 syringed with warm water, into which about 

 two ounces of chloride of lime had been put, 

 until all appeared safe, and no discharge of 

 blood whatever was seen. The scrotum was 



dressed in tluH manner for three or four davs 

 internally, and regularly balhed with warm 

 water outwardly, and around the uhealh, three 

 times a day. In three days ovtr a month iho 

 horse was fit to be ridden. 



The clams used in India are made from a 

 round piece of wood about the size of tho 

 hanille of a sweeping-broom, and are about 

 live inches long. They are slit down tho 

 middle; so that they have two flat sides, with 

 a groove about the size of a goose-quill up the 

 middle. This groove is filled with corrosive 

 sublimate, one drachm, and hog's lard suifi- 

 cient to form an ointment. They are, before 

 placing on the cord, tied together at one end, 

 then at the other pressed together with pincers 

 and tied at the other : these are taken off on 

 the morrow after the operation. 



In performing the operation of castration, 

 there are cautions required, and those of 

 moment ; and although the operation is mainly 

 performed by ignorant men, who are called 

 cutters or gelders, and, to all appearance, 

 things go on as they should do; yet if any 

 alteration for the worse takes place, these men 

 do not understand what to do. It therefore 

 behoves every man who undertakes the opera- 

 tion, to be well informed, not only of the parts 

 involved in it, but their means of cure. 



The greatest enemy the operator has to 

 contend with, is inflammation of the parts. 

 Should this take place, and the horse walk 

 stiff on his hind legs, moving with a straddling 

 gait — especially if he be an old one — the parts 

 should be well bathed with warm water three 

 or four times a day, and each time wiped 

 thoroughly dry ; then the enlarged scrotum 

 and sheath should be rubbed all over with 

 o-ood digestive ointment, some of which may 

 be introduced into the sac, which will promote 

 a discharge. Give tho ball, as recommended 

 before, every second day, until the swelling 

 goes done. 



The food must be regulated according to 

 the ar^e or size of the horse; but much cora 

 must not be given him ; bran mashes, greeu 

 food. Six'., are the best. To old animals, if 

 attacked with swellings after the operation, 

 a dose of physic must be given; and they 

 should be bled. All the other applications 

 will be needful to be attended to, precisely in 

 the same manner as directed for young horses. 



243 



