203 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
3. Castrating with Clamps. 
Clamps are generally made out of cedar, from four to 
five inches long, hollowed out in the centre and loaded with 
green sah^e, the receipt of which may be found in Part V. 
Tie one end of the clamp with strong carriage trimmers' 
twine and leave the other end loose. Take hold of the testicle 
with the left hand and cut lengthwise into the scrotum, or 
bag, with a sharp knife, close to the median raphe. Always have 
the knife sharp, and make a sufficiently large cut to allow the 
testicle to slip out ; then take hold of the testicle with the left 
hand and the clamp with the right and slip it over the cord, 
draw the cord just moderately tight and spread it out in the 
clamp. Tighten the clamp at the end that is not tied, with 
castrating pincers, and tie this end securely tight with the 
twine mentioned. Take ofif the pincers and operate on the 
other testicle in a similar manner. When this is done, cut off 
the testicles and part of the cord, leaving about half an inch 
of it below the clamps. In this way the clamps are prevented 
from slipping oflf. 
To load the clamps some use red precipitate — two grains 
to an ounce of lard or vaseline. We ourselves use and recom- 
mend the green salve, the recipe for which is given in Part V. 
4. Castrating with the Ecraseur. 
This is a new method of operation, and gives results that 
are satisfactory in the majority of cases. In our opinion it is 
the best and most humane. No clamps are used. Open the 
scrotilm and allow the testicles to protrude in the same 
manner as if clamps were to be used, being careful to make 
the opening sufficiently large. When the testicle protrudes 
sufficiently far from the opening in the scrotum, pour some 
carbolized sweet oil (five drops of carbolic acid to an ounce 
of sweet oil) around the cords and into the scrotum. Oil it 
thoroughly in order to prevent healing by the first intention — 
not a good thing in castration. Slip the testicle through the 
chain at the end of the ecraseur. Shove it up as far as 
possiljle on the cord without pulling or using force. Should 
the colt pull upon the cord it is better to suspend operation 
for a time until he ceases, as the length of the cord cannot be 
ascertained unless it is slack when the ecraseur is placed at 
the proper point. Tighten up the instrument by means of the 
screw until the testicle is squeezed off. This makes a 
peculiarly dull cut different from that of a sharp knife and 
