HERNIA, CASTRATION, DEATH. 
447 
The subject of the following case was a two-year-old colt, named 
“ Negropont,” promising well as a racer, which had been trained 
by Mr. T. Cunningham, of Highfield Norton, near New Malton ; 
but in consequence of an enlargement in the scrotum, which 
materially impeded his progress when galloping, and detracted 
considerably from his value, he was taken out of training : the 
enlargement of late having gradually increased, it being, at the 
time of the operation, which took place on the 9th inst., about 
the size of a man’s hat. 
Mr. W. Maw, of Thornton, near Pickering, was called in to ex- 
amine him, and was of opinion that the enlargement was the result 
of water in the scrotal bag, and proposed setoning, which was 
agreed upon. He was cast for the operation. When laid upon 
his back the enlargement gradually disappeared, and Mr. M. now 
took a different view of the case, and considered it to be hernia. 
And, although Mr. M. is not a member of your profession, I assure 
you he is thought generally very clever in our neighbourhood. 
Castration was now the only resource. After securing him, and 
having all in readiness, the operation commenced. After dividing 
the skin, & c. the puddings (intestines) made their appearance. 
The operator felt quite bewildered, and declared all surgical skill to 
be of no avail. The external wound was closed, after returning the 
puddings (bowels), and the animal suffered to get up. He was 
doomed to be shot. After a few ineffectual fires from the trainer, 
he was ultimately shot by a looker-on. 
The above case being connected with my particular vocation, I 
have taken the liberty of sending it for your perusal and in- 
sertion. I should be happy to have your opinion and method of 
castrating, as I have had a few cases in year-old colts with rup- 
ture. I do not know whether rupture is applicable at all to these 
cases, for I think there are many colts foaled so ; and this, in my 
opinion, was Negropont’s case. In year-old colts I adopt stitching 
the membrane covering the testicle, allowing the ends of the 
sutures to hang down. I learnt from a very extensive cutter, who 
cuts numbers of horses (aged) with the clams, to leave on this 
membrane ; and I think the operator ought to have secured this 
covering in the above case with the clams. But you, no doubt* 
will perfectly understand these sort of cases, therefore I will close 
my long epistle. 
*** The above is an instance of sad mis-judgment and lack of 
caution all the way through. Nothing can more plainly evince 
the want of the veterinary “ schoolmaster.” If “ Castrator ” will 
consult the Editor’s “ Hippopalhology of the Horse” vol. ii, p. 
291, he will, under the heading “ Operation for the Hernia of 
Castration,” find the information he seeks. — Ed. Vet. 
