CASTRATION OF THE HORSE. 
621 
large percentage. Fleming, in an article published in the 
Veterinary Journal, March, 1881, tells us of the great success 
of Degive, and asserts that his loss was less than ten per cent. 
However, H. Putz, of the University at Halle, in writing of the 
operation, tells us that Vogel, of Stuttgart, as late as 1885, re¬ 
lates the experience of Degive and Stockfleth and says they 
record a loss of thirty per cent. 
As an illustration of the worthless nature of the literature 
on this subject in the English language, I shall quote a few 
passages from the above-mentioned article by Fleming. On 
page 163, Vol. 12, of the Veterinary Journal, he says: “The 
external opening is, of course, constituted by the inguinal ring, 
but the internal or abdominal must not correspond to the in¬ 
ternal ring ; as if it does, Degive assures us, hernia of the in¬ 
testine is almost certain to follow. The superior or internal 
opening should therefore be made through the peritoneum, 
at one side and in the vicinity of the sub-lumbar region, in 
front of the external iliac artery, and on the surface and near 
the posterior extremity of the small psoas muscle.” “At one 
side ” of what? “ In the vicinity of the sub-lumbar region” 
—very definite indeed ! “ In front of the external iliac ar¬ 
tery ”—could the opening be easily made behind it? “On 
the surface and near the posterior extremity of the small 
psoas muscles ”—certainly beyond the comprehension of an 
anatomist of other than the Fleming school. After reading 
such a description, this portion of the operation must, of 
course, be perfectly clear to all! But, on the very next 
page (164) in describing the method of Degive, which he as¬ 
serts is the best and productive of good results, Fleming says, 
“ The fingers gathered into a cone shape, are introduced into 
the external inguinal ring and pushed slowly and steadily in 
a rotary manner in the direction of the canal or external angle 
of the hip, pressing lightly on the crural arch. In this way a 
passage is at first made through the internal inguinal ring, 
then through the space succeeding it, and finally reaches the 
peritoneum. * * * ” You will readily observe the incon¬ 
sistency. On page 163 he says that “ the internal or abdomi¬ 
nal {opening) must not correspond to the internal ring; ” while 
