310 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



FIRING. 



This mode of castration consists in applying to the cut end of 

 the testicular cord an iron heated to a white heat, the actual 

 cautery. This is one of the oldest methods of operating, and is 

 a good one. The cord may be severed with the hot iron. A 

 clamp is placed on the artery just above where it is to be 

 burnt o£f. 



THE METHOD BY THE CLAMPS. 



This is an ancient mode of operating, having been transmitted 

 to us through many ages. I think this a good method of castra- 

 tion when hernia is present; but for ordinary castration, it has 

 its objections. The removal of the clamps after the operation 

 is a source of trouble, and besides it frequently is accompanied 

 with hemorrhage. There is a possibility of the animal running 

 into brush and tearing off the clamps. And then the weight of 

 the clamps often causes champignon, a condition which I have 

 never seen follow an o^^eration with the ecraseur, or by ligature. 

 The method of operation has been described in tbe chapter on 

 hernia. 



THE LIGATURE. 



This method of castration consists in the application of a cir- 

 cular ligature upon the entire cord, or a portion of it, for the 

 purpose of completely closing it and the various parts entering 

 into its formation. This method was practiced as far back as 

 1734. The operation has several varieties — that of the cord with 

 its envelopes; that of the cord only, either by the covered or 

 uncovered method; that of the spermatic artery alone; that of 

 the efferent canal, and that by the subcutaneous process. Among 

 all methods of castration by ligature, none of them has been sub- 

 jected to sufficient practical test such as would justify a strong 

 recommendation or unqualified approval. 



