1022 DISEASES AND THEIE TKEATMENT. 



of the enlargement, to have used a slight absorbant, with moder- 

 ate pressure of a light woolen bandage. 



CASTKATION. 



The following article was, by special request, written by Dr. 

 Chas. A. Meyer, who is an expert in the performance of this oper- 

 ation : 



" CASTRATION BY THE LATEST METHOD. 



" Advances and progress have been made in all branches, of the 

 sciences and arts, and the art and science of surgery has been one 

 of them. The nature, temperament, and disposition of the horse 

 is better understood, and the educated veterinarian often risks his 

 life for the benefit of stock raisers. "We T7ill, therefore, speak of 



FIG. 880. Miles' Ecraseure. 



the most improved method of castrating the stallion, as it is now, 

 and will in the future be performed, with more ease and success. 

 The old method of castrating the stallion, which so often injures 

 tho animal by breaking his back, injuring his limbs, spraining his 

 muscles, and frequently disabling him for life, is now prevented. 

 Tho method as now performed is to castrate the animal standing, 

 using no ropes to tie his legs, no hard usage, no clamps, and less lia- 

 ble to cause tetanus, eryseplas, sclerous cord, etc. The operation is 

 as follows : 



" Put a halter on the animal, speak to him kindly, lead him to 

 a corner, and quietly back him into it. Have the groom hold the 

 halter-rope with the right hand, rather short, and place his left 

 hand or arm over the face of the horse, and turn the animal's head 

 to the left, or nigh side. The operator should have a sharp castrat- 

 ing knife, a pair of scissors, and, the most important instrument of 

 all, the ecraseure (as shown in Fig. 880), called Miles' Ecraseure. 

 Tho operator should stand on the nigh side, midway between the 

 fore and hind legs (say nothing to the horse), grasp tho scrotum 

 gently in the left hand above the testicles, now with the knife held 

 about 8 to 10 inches from the scrotum, make a slash into, and 

 throng the coverings of the testicles, cutting into them proper. 

 While the cut is made with the fore fingers at the back of the scro- 



