Animal Castration 43 



CHAPTER III. 



CASTRATION OF THE MULE. 



Objects and Indications — Since the mule is a hybrid and value- 

 less for service as a breeding animal it falls to his lot to undergo 

 castration without exception. Without castration — before the 

 age of two years — the mule becomes exceedingly disagreeable and 

 troublesome among other classes of live stock and oftentimes 

 vicious and dangerous to the owner. Apparently the only object 

 in castrating the mule is to cause his sexual desire to permanently 

 subside to the extent of making him a useful farm animal. 



Age — "Yearlings," never later unless unavoidable. 



Season — Preferably spring. 



Preparation — Same as stallion. (See page 14.) 



Restraint — Same as colt. (See pages 36-39.) 



Instruments — Same as colt, (See page 39.) 



Anatomy — Same as stallion. (See pages 19-21.) 



Warning — Same as stallion. (See page 23.) 



Sterilization of Instruments and Cleansing Operator's Hands — 

 Same as stallion. (See page 24.) 



Operative Technique — The operative technique in mule castra- 

 tion resembles in most material respects that of colt castration 

 as outlined on pages 36-41. The only material difference being 

 the manner in which the coverings of the spermatic cord are 

 severed and the extent of them removed. 



With the mule cast, tied and balanced on his back, Dor- 

 sal position (Fig. 27) he is ready for operation. The scrotal 

 region and hands of operator are washed with Lysol or Cresol 

 Compound IT. S. P. in the strength of one tablespoonful to the 

 quart of water. With left hand (M) grasp the sheath (N) and 

 with forward and upward traction stretch the scrotum until it 



