RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 175 



CASTRATION 



Castration is usually performed on colts, at a year old; if light in 

 the neck and fore quarters they may be left until two years. The oper- 

 ation is done either in the standing or lying position. The first is hazar- 

 dous and requires an agile and expert man, but of recent years it is 

 found most practical because it presents the organs in their natural 

 position. This operation should not be performed unless the colt is 

 in good health ; the results are better if a run at grass for a few days has 

 first been obtained. The instruments needed are the emasculator and 

 a castrating knife, which should be placed in an antiseptic solution ten 

 minutes before operating, the hands and arms being also cleansed with 

 the same material. It is also good practice to first examine the parts 

 for ruptures, etc. 



THE ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS in Castration are: Thorough 

 cleanliness, obtained by the plentiful use of antiseptics ; good health at 

 the time of operations and exercise afterw^ards. The scrotum is seized 

 between the finger and thumb, so as to tighten the skin over it and a 

 good incision (four inches or thereabouts) made over the testicle right 

 through the coverings of the testicle, which will then pop out. The 

 emasculator is applied well up on the cord and with the rough edge to 

 the body, and the handles closed, the testicle is removed, the operation 

 being repeated similarly on the other testicle. Some of the antiseptic 

 may be poured into the wounds. A colt should be stabled for 

 eight to ten hours, when it should be turned out with the others. 

 If a mature horse, hitch and give a short drive or slow work; if cold 

 rains occur the animal must be stabled. The wounds should be exam- 

 ined occasionally in order to see that they are kept open, thus insuring 

 the drainage away of any pus. It should be remembered that the testi- 

 cles of colts may not descend until twelve months old, sometimes as 

 late as two years old. 



Bulls are castrated standing, the head being tied up solidly to a 

 strong post. An attendant at each side steadies him, the operator 

 stands squarely behind the bull, seizes the scrotum, gives it half a turn 

 round and draws it out between the hind legs. The incision is made 

 from nearly the top to the bottom of the sac, the testicle drawn out 

 and removed with the emasculator, or the cord is scraped slowly with 

 the knife until severed, the remaining testicle being removed similarly. 

 Calves are thrown down, the end of the scrotum cut ofif, the testicles 

 drawn out until the cord breaks or the cord is scraped off as before. 

 Lambs are castrated in a similar way, being held as described for small 



