CASTRATION OF THE HORSE 49 



to raisi' the hind parts or regain its feet. If a thorough 

 examination shows positively that snch a break exists, 

 the case should he pronounced hopeless and the sul> 

 ject destroyed at once. 



Fractures of tuberosities or of long bones may hap- 

 pen likewise, and are to be treated as fractures re- 

 sulting from other causes; that is, if it is the kind 

 likely to yield to treatment. The animal is properly 

 confined in slings and partial or complete immobiliza- 

 tion effected according to the best methods usually 

 employed. 



Animals resisting confinement sometimes suffer from 

 strains, rope burns, or contusions. While such condi- 

 tions are not common, where subjects are carefully 

 handled, thi' client should be informed of the remote 

 possibility so that the veterinarian may not be held 

 responsible for the occurrence of such accidents. 



Oceasionallj^ if an animal is kept confined for an 

 untlue length of time in recumbency, atrophy of the 

 loiigissimus dorsi muscles occurs within ten days or two 

 weeks after the animal has 1)een so confined. Such 

 cas2S are treated along the same general lines as atro- 

 phies I'esulting from other causes, and prompt and 

 complete I'ccovery usually follows. 



Hemorrhage. — Hemorrhage following castration hap- 

 pens more frequently in some animals than in others, 

 but for this purpose they may be considered in two 

 classes, — pt-hnary licmorrhagc and secondary hemor- 

 rhage. Primary Jwmorrhage is seldom of any serious 

 consequence except in cases where faulty instruments 

 are employed in foals, not effecting complete macera- 

 tion of the cord and causing spermatic hemorrhage. 

 These cases are readily recognized, as the blood from 

 the spermatic artery spurts with each pulsation and 



