316 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



will want to know the reason why he did not use something else. 

 Whatever antiseptic is used always recollect that cleanliness, rest, and 

 attention constitute 50 per cent of the contest, and that the other half 

 may safely be left to the restoring touch of nature. 



Barbcd-wlrc cuts. I have specified these simply because there exists 

 in some sections of the country a fixed idea that there is a specific 

 poison in barbed wire, causing injuries which require treatment differ- 

 ing from that which is applicable to ordinary wounds. Barbed- wire 

 cuts differ from ordinary wounds only in the parts being often lacerated 

 and torn, and the treatment already indicated for wounds of that 

 description is applicable to them. 



CASTRATION. 



Castration consists of the removal of the essential organs of genera- 

 tion. It is performed upon both the male and the female. In the male 

 the organs removed are the testicles and in the female the ovaries. 



Castration in the male is performed for several different purposes. 

 It may be necessary, as is the case in certain diseased conditions of 

 the testicles and in strangulated hernia, but the usual object of the 

 operation is to enhance the general value of the animal. For example, 

 if the animal is intended for burden the operation will better fit him for 

 his work by so modifying his temperament and physical condition that 

 he may be easily controlled by his master. Again, if he is merely to be 

 used for beef purposes the operation will improve the quality of the flesh. 



The operation upon the female may be performed on account of 

 diseased conditions, but I may say that the chief object of the opera- 

 tion is to make the animal one of more profit to its owner by altering 

 the lacteal secretion and also the physical condition. Advocates of 

 this operation claim that a spayed cow will milk under favorable condi- 

 tions for a number of years continuously, and that the milk is greatly 

 increased in richness. Careful tests, however, indicate that the value 

 of this operation with dairy cows has been exaggerated. When the cow 

 is spayed it does away with all trouble attending 03 strum or heat, gesta- 

 tion and parturition with its accidents and ailments. The flesh of the 

 spayed cow is more tender and juicy than that of the entire animal. 



The operation upon the male may be either the uncovered or the cov- 

 ered. In the former the incision is made down to the testicle proper, 

 and in the latter you cut through the scrotum or the outside covering 

 and through the dartos or the next coat, being careful to cut no deeper 

 tissues or coats. The age at which .the operation is performed varies, 

 but usually it is performed between the second and third month. If done 

 in early life there is less danger of complications, the organs not being 

 fully developed and in a latent condition. There are many different meth- 

 ods of operating, the principal ones of which I will mention. In the uncov- 

 ered operation a good free incision should be made, exposing the testicle 

 completely. Now it may be removed by simply cutting it off. The only 

 danger of doing this is the hemorrhage which is likely to follow. To obvi- 



