CA.STRATION 



By Dr. George R. White 

 CASTRATION OF BOARS 



Definition. — "Castration" means unsexing the male, and con- 

 sists in removing both testicles. 



Objects of the Operation. — Pigs are castrated in order to facili- 

 tate their growth and fattening. Aside from the above, the opera- 

 tion has a tendency to improve their behavior when associated with 



) 



i' 



Fig. 99. — Testicle: 0, Globus major; P, epididymis; S, T, spermatic cord. 



other hogs, especially sows. Older hogs (boars) are often castrated 

 when, having reached the limit of usefulness as breeding animals, 

 it is decided to prepare them for market. Even when castrated 

 boars never make choice meat. However, they take on flesh 

 (fatten) very readily, and their characteristic odor disappears to a 

 decided degree. Castrated boars are known as "stags." Cas- 



710 



