CASTRATION OF BULLS 277 



against rain and drafts and artificial heat in extremely cold 

 weather is essential to the best results. In order that the 

 wound be not unnecessarily molested by movements of the 

 wings the perches are removed to prevent flying, and the 

 animals compelled to roost upon the floor. 



SEQUELS.— The losses are not great where asepsis 

 is respected and the above after-care carried out. Accord- 

 ing to Gunther the losses are caused by rough handling of 

 the. kidneys when these are at first mistaken for the testicles 

 and almost torn from their attachments before the error 

 is discovered. 



The first evidence of a forthcoming death is refusal to 

 eat, which circumstance might always be advantageously 

 met by slaughtering the animal for food before any diseased 

 process has advanced far enough to render its meat un- 

 wholesome. 



Castration of Bulls. 



INDICATIONS.— Bulls are usually castrated when, 

 having reached the limit- of their usefulness, it is decided to 

 fatten them for the market, and although castrated bulls 

 never develop into choice meat cattle, they fatten more 

 rapidly and their general behavior is improved. 



RESTRAINT. — Adequate restraint is essential. The 

 standing position is the preferable one. The head is se- 

 cured in the stanchion and held high with the nose ring in 

 the hands of a strong attendant. The hind legs are hop- 

 pled to protect the operator against kicks, and decumbency 

 prevented by one or two ropes passed under the body and 

 fastened to the ceiling beams. The tail is held aside by an 

 assistant or else tied upward and to one side with a strong 

 cord. 



INSTRUMENTS, ETC.— Ecraseur and castrating knife 

 are the only instruments needed. 



ANTISEPSIS. — A thorough antisepsis is needed more in 

 the castration of bulls than similar operations upon other 

 animals, on account of an admitted susceptibility to compli- 

 cations. Although fatalities are not so very frequent, serious 

 illness is almost universal where antisepsis is disregarded or 

 performed in a perfunctory fashion. 



The scrotum must first be washed well with soap and 

 water, then with a solution of mercuric chloride 1-500 and fin- 

 ally with pure alcohol. In executing this step the scrotum 

 is stretched so that the depths of its corduroy rugfe will be 



