512 
Translations and Eeviews of Continental 
Veterinary Journals. 
By W. Eiines, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
Giornale di Medicina Veterinarian Torino, May, 1 858. 
TRAUMATIC TETANUS IN CALVES, CONSEQUENT ON 
CASTRATION. 
By P. Brusalco, Med. Vet. Refrancore, Piedmont. 
One of the most fatal consequences of castration in this 
class of animals is unquestionable tetanus; and although it 
is not always to be ascribed to the want of skill on the part 
of the operator, for it sometimes occurs with the best 
veterinary practitioner, nevertheless, the author had observed, 
that in the majority of cases, castration had been performed 
by smiths and other quacks who, in general, are the operators 
in the country, and that the disease was undoubtedly caused 
by the barbarous and brutal manner of performing the opera- 
tion. As they place great reliance on the phases of the 
moon, the last quarter is generally selected; this being con- 
sidered as the most proper time for the operation. The fol- 
lowing rude manner of operating is adopted. They cast the 
calf, and secure it with a couple of ropes; they then place them- 
selves on their knees behind the animal, and grasp the scrotum 
with the hand, or sometimes they surround it by a noose 
to prevent the testicles from receding upwards; after which 
they make the required opening with a pair of scissors, or 
an old razor, or some rusty instrument, but rarely with 
a bistoury or sharp scalpel. When they have thus 
lacerated the lower part of the scrotum, for incision it cannot 
be called, the testicles are pressed or forced out of the 
opening. This they say is necessary to prevent air getting 
in. The most important part of the operation now begins, 
and the one bv which, the empiric pretends, the fortunate 
results of the operation are secured. By means of his long 
and sharp nails he proceeds to scrape off not only the sub- 
jacent cellular tissue, but likewise the tunica vaginalis, and 
does not desist from this proceeding until he has completely 
stripped the testicle, and also separated it from the epidi- 
