414 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 
scrotum on either side of the median line. The testicle 
being protruded, a thread or silk ligature is placed round 
the spermatic cord about an inch above the testicle, and 
the latter is then removed a little below the ligature with a 
scalpel or sharp scissors. Other methods are adopted, as 
torsion, scraping, or the hot iron. An aperient, and warm 
fomentations, are generally all that is necessary in the after- 
treatment. 
SPAYING. 
Spaying, or removal of the ovaries of the bitch, is now 
almost unheard of, and I trust the time is not far distant 
when it will be discontinued in other animals. The opera- 
tion is both zzkuman and useless. 1 am thankful to say I 
have never seen it performed in canine practice, and will 
therefore quote from another authority. Youatt observes: 
“In performing this operation an opening is made into 
the flank on one side, and the finger introduced ; one of 
the ovaries is laid hold of and drawn a little out of the 
belly ; a ligature is then applied round it, just above the 
bifurcation of the womb, and it is cut through, the end of 
the ligature being left hanging out of the wound. The 
other ovary is then felt for and drawn out, and excised and 
secured by a ligature. The wound is then sewed up, and 
a bandage is placed over the incision. Some farriers do 
not apply any ligature, but simply sew up the wound, and 
in the majority of cases the edges adhere, and no harm 
comes of the operation, except that the general character 
of the animal is essentially changed. She accumulates a 
vast quantity of fat, becomes listless and idle, and is almost 
invariably short-lived. 
The female dog, therefore, should always be allowed to 
breed. Breeding is a necessary process, and the female 
prevented from it is sure to be affected with disease sooner 
or later ; enormous collections and indurations will form, 
that will inevitably terminate in scirrhus or ulceration.” * 
* Youatt : ‘The Dog,” p. 225. 
