SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 247 
up, or by having his ear or muzzle rubbed, or even by the twitch, 
if not, the rope may be carried actually round each fetlock, which 
then acts like a hobble, and this rope may be gradually tight- 
ened. This last, however, is a very questionable method, and the 
others, therefore, ought to be long tried before it is resorted to, 
In this way people have succeeded with very refractory colts; but 
it requires very able assistants, and, if possible, the man who has 
been used to the individual colt should be present. In either way, 
as soon as the rope is fixed, with a man at each end of it, behind 
the colt, Ict them, by a sudden and forcible effort in concert, ap- 
proximate his hind legs to his fore, and thus throw him. Before 
the colt is cast, however, it should be endeavored to ascertain that 
he is free from strangles and hernia. 
Being satisfied that no hernia exists on either side, proceed te 
cast the colt, turning him, not directly on the left side, but prin- 
cipally inclining that way; and, if possible, let the croup be very 
slightly elevated. It is usual to place him directly flat on the left 
side, but the above is more convenient. Next, secure the near 
hind leg with a piece of hempen tackle, having a running noose, 
or, in default of this not being at hand, make use of the flat part 
of a hempen halter, which should, for safety, be put on before the 
hobble of that leg is removed—as may be readily done, if the 
hobbles having shifting or screw D’s (as described in casting) are 
made use of. Every requisite being at hand, the operator, having 
his scalpel ready, should place himself behind the horse, as the 
most convenient way to perform his manip‘!ations; and, firmly 
grasping the left testicle with his Jeft hand, and drawing it out se 
as to render the scrotum tense, he should make an incision length- 
ways, from the anterior to the posterior part of the bag. The 
resistance of the cremaster muscle has tc be overcome before the 
testicle can be forced to the bottom of the scrotum, and this is the 
more readily accomplished if the animal’s attention be engage i 
The incision may be carried at once through the integumeuts, the 
thin dartos expansion, and the vaginal coat of the testicles with 
a swecp of the scalpel; but with one less dextrous at the cpera- 
tion, it will be more prudent to make the first incision through 
the scrotum and dartos only, to the required extent, and then tu 
do the same by the vaginal coat, thus avoiding to wound the tes- 
ticle which would produce violent resistance, and give unneces 
nary pain. 
