450 
SPAYING OF HEtFEllS. 
severe shock, died on the third day ; and another (one of the 
best) became gradually more and more emaciated, and died 
on the forty-second day after the spaying. In several the 
side, around the incision, swelled considerably, and in a few 
the wounds suppurated freely. As the gross quantity of the 
milk given by the cows was all that had been determined 
previous to the spaying, the loss in any one instance could 
not be accurately ascertained, but the quantity became re- 
duced nearly one half during the first two weeks succeeding 
the operation. Many of the cows were quite dry, while only 
a few yielded as much milk as formerly. By the 15th of 
July, ten did not give sufficient milk to pay for the drawing, 
and these were sold by Mr. Wilcox, to a neighbouring 
farmer. 
The cows that dried up improved in condition, but still 
they made but middling beef, although the pasturage was 
very rich. 
In November, Mr. Wilcox sold thirty more (all dry), to 
Mr. Brewster, of this city, who slaughtered them for sailors’ 
beef. 
Respecting the general management of these cows, every 
care was taken to retain them in milk, yet it was found im- 
possible to do it profitably, except in ten of them. During 
the following summer, the best of these ten gave about two- 
thirds their usual quantity, and from the gradual diminution 
of this, nine out of the ten were doomed to the fate 
of their companions. As common sense would have indi- 
cated, the quality of the milk was in no way improved, as to 
its yield of cheese or butter. As you are aware, many 
cows continue in milk several years ; and it is cer- 
tainly very singular, that only one of the fifty continued 
to give milk two years after being spayed. 
[We are indebted to Mr. Varnell for the above communi- 
cation. The facts it contains are opposed to the experience 
of veterinary surgeons on the Continent, who are advocates 
for the operation being performed, on the ground that 
animals after it become increased in value, both for milking 
and feeding purposes. 
Lately, a new method of operating through the walls of 
the vagina has been introduced by M. Pierre Charlier, of 
Rheims. While in Paris, we witnessed his performance of 
the operation, and it is our intention hereafter to return to 
the subject.] 
