AND ON CASTRATION. 
477 
I had him put into one of my frames, that he might be familiar¬ 
ized with it before I attempted my intended operation; for I cal¬ 
culated that, supposing I should succeed in reducing it as he lay 
down, in getting up the gut would be likely to protrude again. 
After taking this precaution, I proceeded to introduce my arm up 
the rectum, and distinctly felt the small intestine under my hand. 
With some difficulty I drew it up, and I have not heard of any 
return since he was taken home. 
I intend, if permitted by the owner, at some future time, to 
castrate him standing, twisting the artery with the torsion forceps. 
There can be no possible danger, for, should bleeding take place, it 
could be readily stopped by pressure on the internal arteries. 
It was also with much pleasure I read the Essay on Castration 
by that indefatigable practitioner Mr. Daws. I trust it will be the 
means, at least in some measure, of rescuing our noble animals 
from the barbarous modes to which they have hitherto been sub¬ 
jected. 
I have seen much of the practice generally adopted in France, 
and other parts; to which, on the whole, I prefer even the old English 
method of the clams and the fire. I think I may say, without pre¬ 
sumption, I was rather an adept in the application of that system. 
I have performed the operation in one minute and a half. Never¬ 
theless, I have seen ample cause for the adoption of another mode. 
About twenty-five years ago, I received a letter from my late kind 
friend Mr. White, in which he requested me to take the first con¬ 
venient opportunity that might present itself to castrate by liga¬ 
ture, and to give him a detailed account of the result. The first 
that did present itself was rather a formidable one. The horse 
was five years old, with a scirrhous cord, the property of Albany 
Saville, Esq., M.P., of Okehampton. I threw the horse on his off 
side, and drew his near hind-leg towards the shoulder as high as pos¬ 
sible. I dissected out and divided the cord. A considerable bleed¬ 
ing took place, as I had no one to assist me who knew any thing 
of the nature of the operation; but the vessels exposed were with 
some little difficulty secured. The horse did well, and in less than 
a month was at work. 
When I commenced castrating by ligature, the bleeding of dif¬ 
ferent branches excited a little apprehension in my mind; but the 
principal artery being once secured, I have never known any bad 
consequence arise from the bleeding of the minor vessels. Some¬ 
times there is scarcely any bleeding. 
The advantages this mode of cutting gives over the old plan need 
only to be mentioned, in order to be appreciated, especially by the 
country practitioner. Such know well that it is not always prac¬ 
ticable to obtain fire to heat the irons without great delay and other 
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