39 
Translations and Beviews of Continental 
Veterinary Journals, 
By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
A communication has been received by us from St. 
Petersburgh, accompanied by a manuscript, entitled— 
A NEW METHOD OE CASTRATION AS PRACTISED IN 
RUSSIA. 
By M. L. Basse, Master of Veterinary Science, and Veterinary Surgeon 
to the Emperor of Russia. 
The author begins with the history of castration, tracing 
its origin anterior to the time of the Greeks and Romans, 
and informing us that it was not practised in England before 
the reign of Henry VII. He next examines into and com¬ 
ments upon the different modes of operating, as adopted in 
different countries. The method recommended by him is by 
means of an instrument called an ecraseur , which was 
invented by M. Chassaignac, a French physician, for the 
purpose of removing polypi in the cavities of the human body. 
The instrument is very simple. It consists of four pieces, 
viz., an iron ring with a handle, a screw and knot, or top, 
and a small chain. The operation is performed in the fol¬ 
lowing manner: The horse, being cast and secured in the 
usual way, an incision is made through the scrotum and the 
tunica dartos. The instrument is then applied on the cord, 
the chain tightened, and the testicle is separated by the con¬ 
tinual turning of the instrument. The remaining part of the 
cord enters the abdominal ring. The other testicle is now 
proceeded with in the same way, and the operation is 
terminated. There is very little loss of blood, and the 
animal may be turned out the same day. The cure is per¬ 
fected in about three weeks. 
Annales Veterinaires Bruxelles for Aug. and Sept., 1858. 
ON SHOEING OE HORSES THAT TURN THE TOE OUTWARDS 
OR INWARDS. 
By M. E. Defays, Professor of Pathology and Surgery. 
The powerful influence of the application of the shoe in 
modifying the action of the horse, is a well-known fact; but 
