20 CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHID HORSES. 



have not been handled it is objectionable, the better plan being 

 to disturb them as little as possible before casting for the 

 actual operation. The hair of the tail should be plaited up or 

 otherwise secured so that it does not unexpectedly swish round 

 and foul the operator's arm, or the site of operation. 



Methods of Securing.— The methods of securing for the 

 cryptorchid operation vary with the fancy of the operator. A 

 cryptorchid can be castrated when fixed either on its side or 

 on its back. When the lateral position is chosen the animal 



Fig. 1. 

 Rope adjusted previous to throwing the animal. 



is cast either with rope or hobbles, the upper hind leg being 

 fixed well forward in such a way that the operator can get 

 the maximum amount of room in which to work. The side 

 on tt'hich the hidden testicle is supposed to be is placed upper- 

 most. The disadvantages of this position are that there is 

 certainly less room in which to work, as the weight of the 

 upper leg is in the way, the hand and arm of the operator are 

 more likely to touch parts of the body which are not surgically 

 clean, the field of operation is not so visible, and, in addition, 

 when the history of which testicle has been removed is doubtful 



