CASTRATION. 175 



was found injurious will then answer admirably. Be- 

 fore a colt is cast for castration, it should be care- 

 fully inspected. Any symptom of disease; or any 

 appearance even of dulness, should be removed before 

 the operation is undertaken. Upon no account ought 

 the colt labouring- under, or breeding strangles, to be 

 operated upon. If the animal be in perfect health, and 

 the weather be also favourable; a few bran mashes 

 and a dose of physic will make the operation more 

 safe ; but in very many instances it is performed with- 

 out any preparation, and nevertheless the colt steadily 

 progresses. It is well also to know that, though pre- 

 cautionary measures lessen the dangers, nothing that 

 man can do will possibly render the operation entirely 

 free from hazard. 



Wooden clams, with and without caustic, with the 

 testicle covered and uncovered, are by some practi- 

 tioners strongly recommended ; but the old method 

 with the knife and iron is, perhaps, most generally 

 practised ; and, with common care, there is compara- 

 tive little danger about the operation. 



A collar of the common girthing web is to be placed, 

 not too tightly, about the neck of the colt; and he is 

 then to be thrown on the left side. The croup is to be 

 raised a little ; and the right leg draw T n up as far as it 

 can be towards the collar. Some persons, however, pre- 

 fer to draw up both legs, and turn the colt on his back. 



The operator should then place himself behind, or 

 somewhat to the left of the patient, according to the 

 manner in which he has been thrown ; and begin to 

 examine the scrotum, more accurately than he was 

 before enabled to do. This is necessary in order to 

 i 4 



