ASEPTIC CASTRATION OF MALE ANIMALS. 
249 
^ inals at places of exhibition rather than an essential in all cases 
to the animal’s well being, should be a small consideration 
when a matter so vital as partial or total loss of vision is under 
consideration from its disease. 
My personal experience has taught me its value as an opera¬ 
tion and its timely selection has saved eyes where purely 
medicinal treatment would beyond doubt have proven futile. 
What we most require in connection with the study of this 
peculiar form of conjunctivitis is a deeper insight into its causes, 
predisposing and exciting, that we may if possible by onr 
knowledge diminish the frequency with which it occurs as well 
as improve onr methods of treatment. 
^ I trust those of our profession who may have valuable notes, 
especially regarding its etiology, may feel kindly disposed and 
place them upon record for the general good, for only by this 
' method can our knowledge be of the greatest value in arriving 
; at truly scientific deductions. 
ASEPTIC CASTRATION OF MALE ANIMALS. 
Graduation Thesis by R. J. Stanclift, Student, New York 
State Veterinary College. 
History .—The operation of castration is one that has been 
performed upon all domesticated animals and upon man for 
ten centuries b. c. (i.) The castration of man being first 
spoken of in the Bible in Isaiah, 56, 3 ; and ancient writers 
claim that the operation was in vogue before the time of 
Semiramis. (2.) Andramyties, the King of Lydia, is said to 
have sanctioned castration in both males and females of the 
human race for social reasons. 
It is still practiced upon man in the Eastern countries that 
are of Mohammedan belief; also in China, and in some parts of 
1 India at the present time. 
The castration of the female domesticated animals was 
known to the Danes in the sixteenth century, and they operated 
successfully upon sheep, swine, cows, and even mares. The 
