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OBSERVATIONS ON GELDING. 
Bi/ Mr, R. Thomson, Beith, N.B, 
(Addressed to Mr. Dick.) 
I HAVE made many experiments as to the use of the ligature 
in the castration of colts and horses, and the removal of this 
ligature on the second or third day. However humane the plan 
may appear, there are serious objections to it. Suppuration, in 
the generality of these cases, does not commence until the fifth 
day—rarely sooner, and sometimes later. Inflammation of the 
scrotal portion of the peritoneum must extend more or less during 
that period, and its progress is not arrested until suppuration 
commences. The protracted time must, in this mode of operat¬ 
ing, be more dangerous, especially in fiery blood colts. I have 
cut about ten colts, using this operation. Some did remarkably 
well: in others the swelling was very great before suppuration 
commenced. In one that died it was uncommonly large. Sup¬ 
puration did not commence until the sixth day. The animal 
got better at that time—the swelling subsided—but he died 
about two months afterwards. The adhesive inflammation, by 
being so long protracted, had done so much mischief that the 
scrotum, peritoneum, and chord, were all glued into one mass. 
Fomentation, bleeding, and laxatives, were employed in vain. 
The colt was a wild fiery animal, half bred. 
I have cut a good many bulls in the same way, and there does 
not appear to be the least bad consequence attending this plan 
with regard to them. I have scarcely seen any swelling, al¬ 
though I gelded three in one day, in the very heat of summer. 
The first colt gelded by me did remarkably well: it was three 
years old, and the success of the plan made me persevere until 
I saw its danger; and I will geld no more upon that principle, 
unless particularly requested to do so. 
The success of common gelders, in my opinion, is founded on 
this, that however coarsely the operation be done, and however 
unmerciful may be the application of the hot iron, there is an 
almost immediate tendency given to suppuration ^ suppura¬ 
tion does make its appearance much sooner after the iron than 
after the ligature; and the patient is always considered, in a 
manner, out of danger when the parts begin to suppurate, unless 
immediate inflammation of the peritoneum followed, and mortifi¬ 
cation has taken place. 
I am quite aware that you are a great advocate for firing 
nothing more than the vessels, and so am I likewise. I would 
