90 ANIAIAL CASTEATION 



putation of the clitoris has been known to cause the 

 complete cessation of the manifestations of nympho- 

 mania, the pain and discomfort inflicted on the animal 

 being- sufficient to check the signs of sexual desire, but 

 where there is involvement of the ovaries, such an 

 operation is an irrational procedure inasmuch as it does 

 not tend to remove the cause. Caudal myectomy has 

 also been resorted to in line grippers to correct this 

 vice, and while it effects a greater degree of safety in 

 the driving of the mare, this, too, fails to reach the 

 actual cause and except to correct the habit of line 

 gripping is not to be encouraged. The condition of 

 nymphomania still continues in spite of clitoridectomy 

 or caudal myectomy. 



Preparation of the Subject. — Mares should be given 

 a purge 48 hours before the time set for the operation, 

 and they should be dieted, receiving only very light 

 concentrates, including bran. 



Restraint and Anesthesia. — Subjects may be han- 

 dled either in the standing position without complete 

 anesthesia, or confined in recumbency and anesthetized 

 with chloroform. The standing operation is preferable 

 as it renders a good technic much easier of execu- 

 tion. Partial anesthesia may be accomplished by the 

 administration of two or three grains of morphin 

 given subcutaneously, and an ounce of chloral hydrate 

 given per os in a capsule. These agents should be given 

 about an hour before the operation is performed. The 

 tail should be l^andaged fi-om the base outward for 

 about eighteen inches and then tied to one side. For 

 restraint a stanchion or stocks may be employed, or the 

 mai'e may be held by means of a hippo-lasso and twitch. 

 If confined within <i stanchion, a cross l)ar should be 

 placed just a little higher than the hocks, and the 



