LAMBING AND ATTENDANT DISEASES. 931 



the scrotum in his left hand, and making the skin tight and smooth, 

 effect a free incision with a sharp knife at the bottom of the scrotum, 

 beneath each testicle ; then cut the membranes that surround them, 

 and scrape the cords and blood vessels attached to them, and the 

 operation is completed. To castrate a ram, make a larger incision 

 at the bottom of each compartment of the scrotum ; the object being 

 to permit the pus, which will form within, to escape. 



Pig. 1248.— Feeling the Pulse. 



Canker of the Foot is tof a certain extent a similar disease 

 to thrush, or canker of the frog, in horses. It is caused by keeping 

 the sheep too closely confined in barns, or in yards where the 

 manure is permitted to collect and ferment, as also from neglected 

 cases of foot-rot. This sometimes necessitates a skillful surgical op- 

 eration with the knife, cutting off the diseased portion. After washing 

 the foot in a solution of one dram of chloride of zinc in a pint of 

 water, apply a pledget of tow or lint dipped in a mixture like the 

 following : — 



Nitric acid 1 part. 



Water 6 to 12 parts. 



DOCKING should be performed on lambs within a week after 

 birth. Hold the lamb between the knees, with its rump against a 

 block of wood ; then draw the skin of the tail toward the rump 



19 



