137 
CASTRATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF 
CHLOROFORM. 
By J. C. Pickering, V. S., Settrington, Malton, York. 
My dear Sir, — I send you for insertion in The Veterinarian 
an account of an operation of castration under the influence of 
chloroform, in order to increase, in a slight degree, the small num- 
ber of contributions you receive from the Yorkshire vets. One 
would think, from the few who send their lucubrations, that York 
was indeed “ wanting,” and that we had so mean an opinion of our- 
selves, that we were not able to summon sufficient courage to write 
an article fit to be read by our southern brethren. But let us pro- 
ceed to the subject of my present communication. 
The animal was a six-year old thorough-bred horse, unbroke, 
by Stumps, dam by Sheik, the property of the Rev. Charles 
Maitland Long, rector of Settrington, near Malton. I had a tin 
made in the shape of a common muzzle, to which I fixed a strap to 
go over the head, similar to a muzzle. On the inside of the tin, 
round the rim, T had it lined with sponge, in order that it might fit 
more tightly the horse’s cheek. I had the bottom of the tin in the 
centre pricked full of small holes, to let in air. I placed a large 
sponge in the bottom of the muzzle, to cover the mouth and nostrils, 
and poured into it 2 oz., or rather more, of liquid chloroform. As 
soon as I had placed it on the animal’s head — I should have said, 
however, before this, I had put on the hobbles, ready in case our 
new move should fail — the groom holding him firmly by the caves- 
son, scarcely had he had the muzzle on two minutes before he 
began to shew symptoms of increased vivacity. He commenced 
staggering from side to side, and reeled about quite ungovernable. 
Being afraid lest he should fall with his head against the wall, or 
in some place that would not suit for the operation (as we were in 
a fold-yard with only a small space fit for an animal to lie down 
upon, the rest being swampy and wet), I ordered the men in charge 
of the hobbles to pull him down. He went down as though shot, 
without a struggle. His legs being made secure, and he being now 
quite insensible, I commenced the operation. I made an incision 
through the scrotum and integuments, exposing the testicle. He 
evinced not the slightest feeling. The clams were placed on 
without the least retraction of the cremaster. I proceeded with the 
other testicle with the same effect. The operation being over, his 
legs set at liberty, and the muzzle taken off, I proceeded to examine 
his pulse, which I found distinct, though weak. It gradually arose 
in frequency from 70 to 100, and upwards. I applied a sponge 
