CASTRATING. 



663 



tion (p. 665) should be performed. It may happen, especially in 

 the case of old horses, that owing to previous inflammation the 

 testicle adheres to the scrotum, and will not easily come out. 

 If this occurs, the adhesions should be broken down by the lingers, 

 or carefully dissected away by any convenient blunt instrument. 

 When handling the testicle, as a rule, it is at times strongly drawn 

 up towards the abdomen by the creniaster muscle, the tendon of 

 which may bo distinguished, at the posterior part of the testicle. 



Fi^. 170. —Horse on ground with both fore legs secured. 



by its rigidity. Divide this tendon by a touch of the knife ; some 

 of the bloodless portion of the cord at its posterior Ixirder may 

 also, without danger of causing bleeding, be cut away, so as to 

 clear the testicle for removal. Remember that the large lalood- 

 vessels of the cord are in front. Now slip the chain of the 

 ecraseur over the testicle, and bringing it well down on tlie cord, 

 wind it up by the handle, until the cord is severed. Care should 

 be taken that the cord is not pulled upon in any way during the 

 struggles of the animal. Having screwed up the ecraseur to its 

 full extent, we may find that the cord is not altogether severed, in 

 which case, instead of pulling at the chain, it is safest to twist the 

 testicle round and round with the hand until it comes off. Having 

 removed the other testicle in a similar manner, wash out tlie 

 cavity freely with water, and then with a solution in water of 

 chinosol (20 grains to the pint), creolin or carbolic acid (| oz. to 



