616 
TAIT BUTLER. 
the animal standing, and thereby avoid the inconvenience of 
casting him. I prefer this method for the following reasons: 
First, because it is much less severe on the horse and mater¬ 
ially decreases the danger of doing him permanent injury. 
That is, it obviates the danger of severe strains (which fre¬ 
quently produce a condition known to the public as “crampy ”) 
broken bones and hernia. If hernia does not exist at the time 
of the operation, it is not nearly so apt to occur, if the animal 
be allowed to stand, as when he is thrown and secured in such 
a position as to invite hernia, both by his exertions to free him¬ 
self and by the peculiar position in which he is tied. Second, 
because it requires much less labor on the part of the opera¬ 
tor and owner, and enables the former to effect the desired 
results in less time and to better advantage. Of course, if the 
surgeon be extremely clumsy and possessed of undue fear he 
should cast his subject, or better still, not operate; but other¬ 
wise, the parts upon which he is to operate being in their 
natural position, he is thereby better enabled to perform the 
operation according to the teachings of science and practical 
experience. 
Where the value of the standing operation is most appar¬ 
ent is in aged horses. If thrown their great strength and age 
render it a severe operation for all concerned ; while if oper¬ 
ated upon in the standing position, they make little or no re¬ 
sistance and therefore the operation is a trivial affair. 
The only class of animals that I would throw is light har¬ 
ness colts, one year old. These lie down more frequently 
than others during the operation and although by this they 
cannot do themselves nor the operator any harm, it is some 
annoyance. Occasionally one of any class or of any age may 
give a little trouble in this manner, but when considered in 
relation to the advantages of the standing operation on the 
whole, this drawback is insignificant indeed. 
The objections to the standing operation come chiefly from 
those who have never given it a fair trial. It is argued that if 
the cord be short the testicle cannot be secured without 
much difficulty. This is a mistake, as all who have operated 
with the animal upon his feet know full well that the testicle 
