PRECAUTIONS BEFORE OPERATING.; 643 



4ih. Not to operate upon an animal, of any age, which is 

 confined in an ill-ventilated, Hi-drained, or otherwise unhealthy 

 shed or stable ; nor upon one stabled along with a great niimber 

 of horses. 



StTtTTo recommend that all colts intended for the operation 

 should have a daily allowance of com for a few weeks prior to 

 being cut. 



6th. To be very careful that all the instruments rec[uired for 

 the operation be scrupulously clean, and the scalpels sharp. 



7th. If the practitioner has conducted a post-mortem examina- 

 tion of any animal, or has attended a case of parturition, or has 

 performed any operation calculated to produce a taint that may 

 cling to his clothes, hands, or instruments, he is to delay 

 performing the operation of castration for at least one day 

 thereafter. 



This last precaution is very important, and I may add to it, 

 that colta.^A hould not be cut near the dissecting-room of any 

 veterinary college. 



Preparation for the Operation. — If the colt be in good con- 

 dition, and fit for the operation, he is merely to be kept short 

 of bulky food, and to be stinted in his water for a feV hours 

 prior to the operation. It is a mistake to starve the animal 

 for a day or two, as is the custom in some districts ; and he 

 ehould have a small feed of corn on the morning prior to being 

 -jut If the colt be not in condition for the operation, it must 

 not be performed for some weeks, the animal to be well fed in 

 the mBantime. 



In the c£ise of an older animal, which has covered or has 

 lieen otherwise woried before being cut, no preparation is 

 necessary, provided he is in working condition ; but if he is 

 fat, has beeu standing idle for some time, or from other causes 

 is out of working condition, Le should be prepared by one or 

 two purgative doses, regular exercise, and good hard food. It 

 is an error to suppose that the strength and vital powers of a 

 horse should be reduced before he is operated upon. He cannot 

 possess too much health and strength. In fact, a horse, to 

 stand an operation well, ouglii to be in the condition of a prize- 

 fighter when prepared for battle. 



Tlie animal — whatever his age may be — being deemed in 

 :fit condition for the operation, the practitioner wiU proceed to 



