570 



CASTRATION, 



scrotal bag. Should we be called on to operate on a horse 

 which already had hernia, it is evident we ought not to 

 proceed with it, unless the owner be apprised ot^ the risk, 

 and willing to abide by it. In such case we would recom- 

 mend that the method of Girard be practised, i. e. to in- 

 close the tunica vaginalis within the clams (sufficiently 

 tight to retain them, but not to produce death in the part) 

 pushed high up against the abdominal ring, and then to 

 remove the testicle, being very careful to avoid injuring 

 any portion of intestine in the operation. When a discovery 

 is made of the existence of hernia after cm opening has been 

 already lyiade for the common purpose of castration, should 

 the operator continue his process, and castrate ? We should 

 say, by no means ; but on the contrary, we would greatly 

 prefer the method recommended by Mr. Percivall ; firmly to 

 unite the lips of the external wound by suture, allowing the 

 testicle itself to assist in blocking up the passage ; with a hope 

 also that the inflammation caused by the excision might 

 altogether stop up the scrotal communication with the 

 abdomen. But in the appalling case of immense protrusion 

 of intestine, what is to be done ? Mr. Coleman, in such a 

 case, proposes to make an opening near the umbilicus, 

 large enough to introduce the hand, and thus draw in the 

 bowels. Mr. Percivall would prefer dilating the external 

 ring: but the testicle must be very firmly retained, and 

 even permanently fixed against the dilated ring, or the 

 bowels would again descend. The intestines probably 

 would become inflated in any such case. 



As unbroken young horses are the most usual subjects of 

 this operation, and as such often have not yet been bridled, 

 if a colt cannot be enticed with oats, &c., he must be driven 

 into a corner between two steady horses ; where, if a halter 

 cannot be put on, at least a running hempen noose can be 

 got round his neck ; but whichever is used, it should be 

 flat, or the struggles, which are often long and violent, may 

 bruise the neck, and produce abscess or injury. When 

 his exertions have tired him, he may be then led to the 

 operating spot : here his attention should be engaged while 

 the hobbles are put on, if possible ; if not, a long and strong 

 cart-rope, having its middle portion formed into a noose 

 sufficiently laige to take in the head and neck, is to be slipped 



