CASTRATION OF CAVALRY HORSES. 
657 
tage of clipping is scarcely available on service, as with stabled 
geldings — and entire horses, on the steppes of the Crimea — is 
likely to be very severely tested. It has now become a 
question for decision in Europe as well as Asia ; therefore, I 
trust your readers will pardon the length of these obser- 
vations. 
The late Professor Coleman said, many years back, that 
“ the best mode of castration is that ordinarily practised by the 
castrator ; for even if the caustic clams were better, they 
would not cut off the testicles and remove the clams next 
day, or pay your journey to do it.* As to the relative de- 
grees of suffering from different modes of operation, there is, 
no doubt, least in that practised in human surgery — but this 
patient remains quiet ; a horse will not do so, and the dif- 
ference in the force of circulation is apt to cause after- 
hemorrhage. There is, no doubt, great pain for some time 
after compression of the clams, yet I preferred it in India to 
the castrator’ s method, in which there was more constitutional 
disturbance, and tendency to tetanus. Though not usual, 
I castrated numbers of young camels by scraping the cord, 
and in this way calves are castrated at Nagore, where they 
breed high, light, five-hand cattle for rich natives’ carriages; 
however, the ordinary method of castrating oxen is, to put the 
cord between two smooth stones, then (half a dozen thumps) 
a few r blows on the testicle cord and string from either is effec- 
tual, wi thout opening the scrotum by heat, &c. Of the many 
hundreds served in this manner, during five years I was at 
Hissar, I never heard of an unfortunate case; yet of its 
cruelty I have no doubt, from the pain I once experienced 
from a very slight blow on the testicle from a horse, that I 
can fancy Major Tapp’s method to be equally so, besides 
being continued. Mr. Hallen only acted as the late Mr. 
Youatt very properly expected every veterinarian to do, and 
spare, if he could, the unnecessary sufferings of animals. 
The use of chloroform has, however, relieved us from the 
chance of this stigma. Had I been a captain or major of 
cavalry I would have chosen a more chivalrous path than 
that of those who have of late figured in your journal ; but — 
“ To such base uses may we come at last.” 
P.S. — I beg leave to inform Mr. Dawes that mylabres are 
procurable only for a short period during the rains, when 
those who collect other produce of the country will, no doubt, 
do the same with this, now he has mentioned the market 
price ; if some of our professional brethren mention it to up- 
country merchants. Had I known it was desirable, I could 
