34 Animal Castration 



perience in practice cannot do it at all. Console yourself with 

 the thought that there are others. 



Care and Treatment — See page 28. 



Prognosis — See page 28. 



Sequelae — See under proper heading in subsequent pages. 



Advantages of Operating in Standing Posture — (1) Conserva- 

 tion of time and energy on the part of the operator, as it is pos- 

 sible for an experienced and dexterous operator to castrate a 

 stallion in the standing position in six to fifteen seconds' time, 

 provided the animal behaves well. Whereas in the recumbent 

 posture it requires from six to fifteen minutes to cast, tie and 

 castrate. It is much easier on the operator to castrate in the 

 standing posture as less work and exertion are required. (2) 

 Safety and comfort to the patient, since the clanger of casting 

 and tying is obviated and the animal is not exerted or "heated 

 up" near to the extent which he would be were he cast, tied and 

 castrated in the recumbent posture. (3) ~By castrating in the 

 standing posture — provided same is done with dexterity — the sur- 

 geon makes a favorable and lasting impression upon his client, 

 an impression which will "not wear off." (4) Since the operator 

 is not called upon to handle dirty ropes, etc immediately before 

 operating and the operative field itself is not on or in close prox- 

 imity to the manure and dirt — as is the case in recumbent posi- 

 tion — there is no doubt but what less wound contamination takes 

 place in standing method. 



Disadvantages — (1) Danger to the operator has been heralded 

 to the four winds of this country as argument against castrating 

 stallions in the standing posture. The author's twenty years or 

 more experience with operating in both the standing and recum- 

 bent postures leads him to believe, in fact know, that the danger 

 to the operator has been highly colored and over-exaggerated with 

 reference to castrating in the standing posture unless the operat- 

 ing surgeon was an amateur or an extremely awkward and care- 

 less person. Of course it could not reasonably be expected that 

 everyone could, even by time and practice, become an adept at 

 such an undertaking. In order to be a success it is necessary for 

 the operator to possess a level head, a steady nerve, plenty of self- 

 confidence, and more than average courage, together with a re- 



