CASTRATION. 
527 
of it as it occurred in their practice — the circumstances whicli 
seemed to aggravate or give an immunity from it — its different 
stages and vary ingcharacter — and the most successful modeoftreat- 
ment ; that would be an interesting pamphlet which was filled by 
a history, or by histories of this malady. And if such a report were 
repeated during a few successive years, the series would become 
invaluable : — it would be one of the greatest benefits conferred, 
in modern ages, on the horse and cattle, and their owners. Will 
our readers think of this, and oblige us, and serve the cause of 
their profession ? Y. 
CASTRATION. 
By Professor Vatel, Alfort. 
[Continued from page 479.] 
The Accidents which may follow Castration. 
These are swelling of the sheath or the scrotum, or the sper- 
matic cord, gangrene, hemorrhage, tetanus, hernia, and peritonitis. 
1. Swelling of the Sheath and Scrotum . — These most frequently 
occur, and are most serious in young horses that have not yet 
had strangles, or that are about to have it. When it happens, 
yet in a slight degree, and affects only the sheath, it needs not 
to be regarded ; for it will usually disappear about the fifth, sixth, 
or eighth day, and frequently sooner. Exercise is very useful in 
dispersing it. When, however, it is more considerable, and by 
a species of phymosis prevents the animal from protruding his 
penis ; when he walks with some stiffness ; and the perineum 
and the scrotum are distended ; recourse must be had to fomenta- 
tions, emollient lotions, and scarification. If the pulse is hard 
and accelerated, the animal should be bled, and cooling drinks 
and emollient injections administered. 
The treatment is the same when the enlargement spreads 
under the belly, and there is oedema accompanied by some degree 
of heat. It is often useful to clean the inside of the sheath, in 
order to prevent the accumulation of sebaceous matter. 
When this enlargement is complicated with a similar one of 
the spermatic cords, it is frequently dangerous. When it passes 
into a gangrenous state, or is accompanied by peritonitis, it is 
generally fatal. In the latter case the animal frequently dies at 
