374 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



CASTRATION. 



The best time for the operation is when the colt 

 is one year old, in the calf when it is one month 

 old. The latter part of April or the month of May 

 is the best time of the year, when it is neither too 

 hot nor too cold. Colts that are thin and low in 

 the neck ought not to be operated upon until they 

 are two years old. 



Rules to guide the operator: First. Examine 

 the scrotum to see if there is a rupture, or if the 

 testicles have come down. If not it will be wise 

 to wait for a few months longer. Second. Never 

 operate on a thin or an unhealthy colt. Third. Do 

 not operate during cold, wet weather. Fourth. 

 An animal that is confined in badly ventilated 

 stables should not be operated upon. Fifth. If a 

 colt is thin it should have two or three quarts of 

 good oats a day for a few weeks before being oper- 

 ated upon. Sixth. The hands and instruments 

 should be clean. Seventh. When an older animal 

 is to be operated upon it should be exercised or 

 worked moderately for some time before the oper- 

 ation, or if very fat should have a dose of physic 

 a week before, and allowed a regular allowance 

 of oats, as it does not do to starve an animal be- 

 fore the operation. 



There are several methods of performing the 

 operation, but those used at present are either the 

 clamp or the ecraseur. My experience is that the 

 clamp is the safest and best, as there are fewer bad 

 results after it than the ecraseur. The kind of 



