54 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



made clamp is applied, embracing both cords, tightly 

 closed and left in place to slough. The author claims 

 that when the clamp drops, only a small, simple 

 granulating wound remains, which soon heals. 



Ligature of the cord only ; covered operation. — The 

 first three steps of the operation having been accom- 

 plished, and the testicle enucleated, the ligature is 

 placed around the cord, still covered by its fibrous 

 envelopes and the cremaster muscle. A piece of 

 twine or an elastic ligature may be employed for 

 this purpose. In this operation the testicles are al- 

 lowed to remain not less than twenty-four hours, be- 

 fore amputation is performed, in order that if the 

 pressure has been insufficient, and the parts should 

 fail to exhibit symptoms of loss of vitality after that 

 iime, another ligature may be applied. 



Uncovered operation. — The only variation between 

 this method and the one last considered is found 

 in the fact that in this, the testicle and cord 

 being exposed as in the process of castration with 

 the clamp, the ligature is apjjlied either on the cord 

 as a Avliole, or only on its anterior fasciculus. In this 

 case the testicle is amputated immediately after the 

 application of the ligature. But as there is a possi- 

 bility of the slipping o£f of the ligature, great care 

 must be taken lest the amputation be performed too 

 near the point where the constriction is made. And 

 again, as there is a possibility of the truncated cord 

 being drawn too far up, even up into the abdominal 

 cavity, it becomes a precaution of prudence, as rec- 

 ommended by Mr. Bouley, to leave a sufiicient length 



