368 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



nize with their own species, and more especially those of the 

 opposite sex, is a natural consequence of emasculation, and 

 therefore the supposed home affection and faithfulness are but 

 the result of their unenviable state. 



The operation, which should be performed under chloro- 

 form, is a simple one. An incision is made through the 

 scrotum on either side of the median line. The testicle being 

 protruded, a thread or silk ligature is placed around the 

 spermatic cord about an inch above the testicle, and the lat- 

 ter 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 fomenta- 

 tions, are generally all that is necessary in the after treat- 

 ment. 



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 operation 

 is both inhuman and useless. I 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 hang- 

 ing 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 plkced 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 



