ANiiiAl CASTEATIOM. 6? 



witli both hands, and pressed upwards as far as pos- 

 sible against the inguinal ring (Fig. 21). It is neces- 

 sary to be very careful to ascertain that they rest on 

 the same level, in order to be secure against the 

 possibility of untwisting. The ligature is then ap- 

 plied by passing three or four turns of it around the 

 scrotal envelopes, immediately below the testicles, 

 with not more than a sufficient degree of tightness 

 to assure it against slipping off. 



The symptoms which succeed the operation are not 

 commonly of a very serious nature, and subside 

 within a period of time varying from two to six 

 hours. Following the operation an inflammatory 

 swelling takes place in the bags, and after one or 

 two days assumes large dimensions. The ligature 

 can now be removed, and the animal left to himself, 

 without further treatment, the testicles undergoing 

 a slow process of atrophy readily recognized by their 

 appearance and the position they always thereafter 

 occupy in the vaginal sac. 



CASTEATION OF MALES OF SMALL ANIMALS. 



Boars are castrated between the age of six weeks 

 and two months. When operated at this later age, 

 their lard is more firm and consistent. Those that 

 are kept for breeding are operated when two or three 

 years old, and even Ir.ter. 



The methods used are simple excision, sometimes 

 made more complete with torsion. For old animals 

 licrature or clamps are resorted to. The modus 



