DISEASES OE ELEPHANTS AND CAMELS. 
23 
terior part of the cord, and the vas deferens is disposed of by 
the same incision. I maintain that the pain produced by the 
scraping of the fore part of the cord is not so great as that 
which would result from the pressure of the clams while per¬ 
forming the operation by torsion, as recommended by Mr. 
Constant. I would also prefer opening the scrotum by one 
sweeping cut of the scalpel, even at the risk of wounding the 
testicle, than have recourse to scissors for the purpose of pro¬ 
longing the original incision in the skin, &c., of the scrotum, 
I believe the former would be productive of less pain than 
the latter. I have castrated a great number of horses during 
the last three and a half years, and all have turned out satis¬ 
factorily. The patients are generally at duty again in twelve 
days, and are seldom under treatment more than fifteen days. 
In my opinion, the operation by scraping has everything to 
recommend it when the parts are in a normal state. 
I may here remark that in an officer's charger, which I 
castrated this year, I found the artery at the posterior part of 
the cord. This is very unusual, but it is well to keep a look¬ 
out for such irregularities of structure, as they may lead to 
an unpleasant mistake if overlooked. 
When I have to operate on an animal with thickening of 
the cord, enlarged testicle, adhesions, &c., I do so by ligature, 
as performed by surgeons on the human subject. I take up 
and tie the artery only, i. e. the spermatic artery ; the artery 
of the cord is generally too insignificant to require a ligature, 
but not always. The clams are required for this operation, 
but are only in use for about ten minutes. 
To the Editors of ‘ The Veterinarian .’ 
DISEASES OF ELEPHANTS AND CAMELS. 
By the Same. 
Can you inform me if there is any work in existence on 
the diseases of the elephant and camel ? I mean any work 
that will repay perusal. There is a book on this subject by 
Gilchrist, which I have seen, but it is only fit for a farrier or 
cat tie sergeant to refer to, and the chances are it will mislead 
them when they do look into it for information. 
An epidemic broke out here last month among the Govern¬ 
ment elephants, and the brigadier-general commanding the 
