Most of the preceding methods may be used in castrating rams, but certain special methods are more generally employed. These we shall shortly mention.
Castration by Bistournage.—The method is exactly similar to that in the bull. The animals are placed in the position shown in the figure, except that the hind limbs are extended and held in that position by the operator’s knees or feet. The process is only applicable to animals of four or five months old.
Castration by Tearing.—This method is only practised by shepherds, and on animals a few days or at most a month old. The base of the scrotum is snipped off with scissors, the testicles are enucleated, and each in turn is seized and torn away with a sudden snatch. Even though a considerable length of cord is removed with the testicle, bad results seldom follow, provided the subject is not of greater age than that mentioned.
Fig. 317.—Castration of young pigs.
Castration by Ligature.—This method consists in passing a stout ligature in the form of a running knot over the neck of the scrotum and, by means of two short pieces of wood, drawing it tight. The method, however, is not to be recommended, as it not infrequently leads to tetanus.
CASTRATION OF BOARS AND YOUNG PIGS.
For castration boars should be cast on the left side, and three legs at least firmly secured together (Fig. 317). The best method is that of limited torsion. Care should be taken to avoid dragging the cord downwards during the operation, for the testicular artery ruptures readily, and fatal abdominal hæmorrhage may follow.
As the subjects are apt to wallow in the litter after the operation a strip of iodoform gauze should be applied and secured by one or two sutures. This is removed on the third or fourth day.
On young pigs the operation is simpler. The animal is cast on the left side and firmly held, the left hind limb being extended and the right drawn towards the right shoulder.