168 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



be invigorated by nourishing diet, while 30-grain doses of nux vomica 

 are given twice a day. Finally, a weak current of electricity sent 

 through the penis from just beneath the anus to the free portion of 

 the penis, continued for 10 or 15 minutes and repeated daily, may 

 prove successful. 



SELF-ABUSE, OR MASTURBATION. 



Some stallions acquire this vicious habit, stimulating the sexual 

 instinct to the discharge of semen by rubbing the penis against the 

 belly or between the fore limbs. The only remedy is a mechanical 

 one, the fixing of a net under the penis in such fashion as to prevent 

 the extension of the penis or so prick the organ as to compel the 

 animal to desist through pain. 



DOURINE. 



This disease is discussed in the chapter on " Infectious Diseases." 



CASTRATION. 



CASTRATION OF STALLIONS. 



This is usually done at 1 year old, but may be accomplished at a 

 few weeks old at the expense of an imperfect development of the 

 fore parts. The simplicity and safety of the operation are greatest 

 in the young. The delay till 2, 3, or 4 years old will secure 

 a better development and carriage of the fore parts. The essential 

 part of castration is the safe removal or destruction of the testicle 

 and the arrest or prevention of bleeding from the spermatic artery 

 found in the anterior part of the cord. Into the many methods of 

 accomplishing this limited space forbids us to enter here, so that only 

 the method most commonly adopted, castration by clamps, will be 

 noticed. The animal having been thrown on his left side, and the 

 right hind foot drawn up on the shoulder, the exposed scrotum, 

 penis, and sheath are washed with soap and water, any concretion of 

 sebum being carefully removed from the bilocular cavity in the end 

 of the penis. The left spermatic cord, just above the testicle, is now 

 seized in the left hand, so as to render the skin tense over the stone, ■ 

 and the right hand, armed with the knife, makes an incision from 

 before backward, about three-fourths of an inch from and parallel to 

 the median line between the thighs, deep enough to expose the testicle 

 and long enough to allow that organ to start out through the skin. 

 At the moment of making this incision the left hand must grasp the 

 • cord very firmly, otherwise the sudden retraction of the testicle by 

 the cremaster muscle may draw it out of the hand and upward 

 through the canal and even into the abdomen. In a few seconds. 



