A CASTRATOR'S ERROR 87 



terrible mess, due to the constant dribbling of 

 urine upon them. The urethral opening was evi- 

 dently very small, as one could see the urine com- 

 ing away from the penis in a very fine spray. 

 Owner still refused surgical interference. I 

 wrote him about twelve months ago on another 

 matter, and asked him how "Farmer" was going 

 on, expecting to hear he had been sent to the 

 kennels. His reply was, "The horse is working 

 on the farm regularly, and except for requiring 

 an occasional drench does all right." 



I might add that I tried at the time to per- 

 suade the owner to institute proceedings against 

 the castrator, either for cruelty or in a civil court, 

 but this he would not do, the reason being, as I 

 learned afterwards, that he had arranged terms 

 for the castrator to pay him the sum of $125 in 

 instalments, as damages. This would, of course, 

 account for his desire to avoid further expense 

 or publicity. He wanted the matter kept quiet 

 till the money was paid; hence also his employ- 

 ing me in lieu of other veterinarians nearer his 

 home. 



