ANIMAL CASTRATION. 13 



hind legs are brought forward together, and he is 

 fixed squarely upon his back, and the inguinal 

 region thus brought distinctly into view. The 

 manipulation is thereby made easier for the surgeon, 

 and, it is claimed, safer for the patient. 



The possibility of danger attending these methods 

 has led many veterinarians in Europe, and in the 

 United States as well, to prefer the operation with 

 the animal in the standing posture. 



But it is to be considered that the same compli- 

 cations may arise in all instances, with the exception 

 of apprehended injury to the vertebral column, 

 which, though possible, is almost unknown, in fact, 

 at the usual age of the castrated animal. It is to 

 be considered, likewise, that the animal on his feet 

 is free to struggle as violently as he wishes, and is 

 thus exposed to the risk of the pulling and lacera- 

 tion of the spermatic cord, and a resulting pre- 

 disposition to enlargements of that body and the 

 formation of champignons. 



When it is considered, again, that by the traction 

 of the cord the superior opening of the inguinal 

 canal is necessarily dilated, and the formation of a 

 hernia of castration is liable to take place, we 

 submit the point to the intelligent judgment, 

 whether, in the presence of these possibilities of 

 extremely dangerous accidents, it does not become 

 the duty of the veterinarian to prefer the mode of 



