300 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



CASTRATION. 



Castration consists of the removal of the essential organs of .genera- 

 tion. It is performed upon both the male and the female. In the 

 male the organs removed are the testicles and in the female the ovaries. 



Castration in the male is performed for several different purposes. 

 It may be necessary, as is the case in certain diseased conditions of 

 the testicles and in strangulated hernia, but the usual object of the 

 operation is to enhance the general value of the animal. For example, 

 if the animal is intended for burden, the operation will better fit him 

 for his work by so modifying his temperament and physical condition 

 that he may easily be controlled by his master. Again, if he is merely 

 to be used for beef purposes, the operation will improve the quality of 

 the flesh. 



The operation upon the female may be performed on account of 

 diseased conditions, but we may say that the chief object of the 

 operation is to make the animal one of more profit to its owner by 

 altering the lacteal secretion and also the physical condition. Advo- 

 cates of this tiperation claim that a spayed cow will milk under favor- 

 able conditions for a number of years continuously, and that the milk 

 is greatly increased in richness. Careful tests, however, indicate that 

 the value of this operation with dairy cows has been exaggerated. 

 When the cow is spayed it does away with all trouble attending 

 estrum, or heat, gestation, and parturition with its accidents and ail- 

 ments. The flesh of the spayed cow is more tender and juicy than 

 that of the entire animal. 



The operation upon the male may be either the uncovered or the cov- 

 ered. In the former the incision is made down to the testicle proper, 

 and in the latter the cut is made through the scrotum or the outside 

 covering and through the dartos, or the next coat, care being taken to 

 cut no deeper tissues or coats. The age at which the operation is per- 

 formed varies, but usually it is performed between the second and third 

 month. If done in early life there is less danger of complications, the 

 organs not being fully developed and in a latent condition. There are 

 many different methods of operating, the principal ones of which we 

 shall mention. In the uncovered operation a good free incision should 

 be made, exposing the testicle completely. Now it may be removed by 

 simply cutting it off. The only danger of doing this is that hemor- 

 rhage is likely to follow. To obviate this, before the division of 

 the spermatic cord it should be twisted several times in the follow- 

 ing manner: Take hold of the spermatic cord with the left hand, hav- 

 ing the cord between the thumb and the index finger. Now twist the 

 free portion several times with the right hand, all the time being care- 

 ful to push with the left hand toward the body of the animal. In this 

 way the danger of injury to the cord during the animal's struggles 

 will be overcome. The hemorrhage will be none, or very little, if it 



