148 



the hernia and tlie application of the caustic clamps over the cord and 

 inner walls of the inguinal canal, so that the walls of the latter become 

 adherent above the clamps, the canal is obliterated, and further pro- 

 trusion is hindered. For the full description of this and of the oi^era- 

 tion for hernia in geldings, see article on hernia. 



CASTRATION OF THE MARE. 



Castration is a much more dangerous operation in the mare than in 

 the females of other domesticated quadrupeds, and should never be 

 resorted to except in animals that become unmanageable on the recur- 

 rence of heat, and that will not breed or that are utterly unsuited to 

 breeding. Formerly the operation was extensively practiced in 

 Europe, the incision being made through the flank, and a large pro- 

 portion of the subjects perishing. By operating through the vagina 

 the risk can be largely obviated, as the danger of unhealthy inflam- 

 mation in the wound is greatly lessened. The animal should be fixed 

 in a trevis, with each foot fixed to a post and a sling placed under the 

 body, or, better, it may be thrown and put under chloroform. The 

 manual operation demands special professional knowledge and skill, 

 but it consists essentially in making an opening through the roof of 

 the vagina just above the neck of the womb, then following with the 

 hand each horn of the womb' until the ovary on that side is reached 

 and grasped between the lips of forceps and twisted ofl". It might be 

 torn off by an ecraseur especially constructed for the purj)ose. The 

 straining that follows the operation may be checked by ounce doses 

 of laudanum, and any risk of j)rotrusion of the bowels may be obvi- 

 ated by appljang the truss advised to prevent e version of the womb. 

 To further prevent the pressure of the abdominal contents against the 

 vaginal wound the mare should be tied short and high for twenty-four 

 or forty-eight hours, after which I have found it best to remove the 

 truss and allow the privilege of lying down. Another important point 

 is to give bran mashes and other laxative diet only, and in moderate 

 quantity, for a fortnight, and to unload the rectum by copious injec- 

 tions of warm water in case it should threaten to become impacted, 



STERILITY. 



Sterility may be in the male or in the female. If due to the stallion, 

 then all the mares put to him remain barren; if due to the mare, she 

 alone fails to conceive. 



In the stallion sterility may be due to the following causes: (a) 

 Imperfect development of the testicles, as in cases in which they are 

 retained within the abdomen ; (b) inflammation of the testicles, result- 

 ing in induration ; (c) fatty degeneration of the testicles, in stallions 

 liberally fed on starchy food and not sufficiently exercised; (d) fatty 

 degeneration of the excretory ducts of the testicles {vasa deferentia) ; 

 (e) inflammation or ulceration of these ducts; (/) inflammation or 



