beaten with the sprig of a vine; then, when swelled up by the stroke of this rod, opened with a lancet, and, after enough blood has been drawn, the vein must be bound up with the rind of the willow or elm-tree."
This operation should always be performed with the lancet if possible: in cases of urgent haste, when no lancet is at hand, a small penknife may be used; but the fleam is a dangerous and objectionable instrument.
CASTRATION OR SPAYING.
This operation is performed on many of our domesticated animals, with a view of increasing their docility and usefulness, and on others to dispose them to fatten and attain to early maturity; it consists in removing the testicles of the male, and the ovaries, and sometimes a more or less considerable portion of the uterus, of the female.
Pigs are chiefly castrated with a view to fattening them; and doubtless castration has the required effect, and therefore is less objectionable when performed on the pig, than when the horse or dog is subjected to it; for at the same time that it increases the quiescent qualities of the animal, it diminishes his courage, spirits, and nobler attributes, and even affects his form. The tusks of a castrated boar never grow like those of the natural animal, but always have a dwarfed, stunted appearance.
If possible, this operation should be performed in the spring or autumn, as the temperature is then more equable, and care should be taken that the animal is in perfect health. Those which are fat and plethoric should be prepared by bleeding, cooling diet, and quiet.
Pigs are castrated at all ages, from a fortnight to three, six, and eight weeks, and even four months old. There are various modes of performing the operation: we will begin by quoting those de- scribed by Professor Vatel:—Vatel's Eléments de Pathologie Vétérinaire.
"Castration by simple division of the spermatic cord.—If the pig is not more than six weeks old, an incision is made at the bottom of the scrotum, the testicle pushed out, and the cord cut without any precautionary means whatever. But when the animal is older, there is reason to fear that hemorrhage to a greater or less extent will supervene; consequently it will be advisable to pass a ligature round the cord a little above the spot where the division is intended to take place.
"Castration by tearing the cord.—Swine are thus operated on by some cutters:—An assistant holds the pig, pressing the back of the animal against his chest and belly, keeping the head elevated, and grasping all the four legs together; or, which is the preferable way,
