USE OF TORSION IN THE CASTRATION OF THE HORSE. 207 
CASE III. 
I would have immediately communicated the two former 
cases to The Veterin akian, but I waited until one of more 
importance presented itself in the course of my practice, and 
which, without danger of error, would display the actual value 
of this mode of operation. On the 20th of December as decisive 
an one occurred as I could possibly desire. The owner of the 
colts requested me to examine a five year and a half entire horse 
which he was about to purchase. He afterwards wished him to 
be castrated, in order that he might be ready for work at the 
commencement of the season. 
The horse being in high condition, I had him duly prepared ; 
and on the 24th I operated on him in the same manner as in the 
two former cases. 
25M.—Little swelling, appetite good, pulse 38. 
26M.—Swelling increased, but not so great as in many cases in 
which I have operated with the actual cautery or caustic clams; 
appetite diminished, pulse 40. 
28/A.—Swelling diminishing, appetite returning, pulse 38. 
29M to 315^.—The appetite good, and the animal recovering 
his former strength and spirits. 
A friend of Mr. Geale’s, who was present at this operation, told 
me that he would have two colts castrated in the same manner 
this spring. If any professional or other gentleman should be 
anxious to be present at these, or other similar operations, I 
should have much pleasure in gratifying their wishes, if they will 
favour me with their address. 
There is one caution to which the attention of practitioners 
should be directed; namely, to make what they suppose to be 
the requisite number of turns with the forceps steadily at once, 
and to hold the chord firmly two or three minutes afterwards. 
If after a certain number of turns the operator pauses, and then, 
fearing he may not have done enough, gives another turn, and, 
after that', perhaps another, the coagulum or clot is disturbed or 
broken, and hemorrhage will possibly ensue.' 
If after the proper number of turns the chord is immediately 
let go, it will probably be suddenly retracted, and, in the act of 
being quickly drawn up into the belly, will be untwisted, and in 
this case also hemorrhage may follow. The chord should be held 
firmly two or three minutes, that the clot may form above, and 
the vessel may adapt itself to its new state; it should then be 
suffered gradually to retract, the forceps still remaining fixed ; 
and, having retracted nearly as far as it is then disposed to go, 
the forceps may be opened, and the vessel liberated. 
The clams were used as a prudent precautionary guard in a 
