8 Jan., 1907.] Diseases of Farm Animals. 55 



DISEASES OF FARM AXIMALS. 



{Continued from page 755, Vol. IV.) 



S. S. Cameron, M.R.C.V.S., Chief Veterinary Officer. 



VI.— VETERINARY OPERATIONS, METHODS, AND 

 PRACTICES. 



I. Opf.rations. — Precautions Prior to Operations, Preiiaration, Antiseptic Surgery — Control during- 

 Operations, tlie Twitrh, tlir Side line, Striqipini; l.imlix. {\w Trevis or Crusli, Operating Tables, Throwing 

 Horses, Thruwini: Cattle Anastliet ii-s (Clili.iMti.i mini;). General Anaesi.hesia, Local Ansesthesia — 

 Abscess Lancing- Arrest ot rjlecdiiii: Aniimtalicin i.t llic Penis — Blood-letting— Caesarian Operation — 

 Castration, Recumbent Piisition. Met liodN (Scaring, Caustic Clanis, T.nsinn, Ecraseur, Forceps and 

 Emascvilators) Standing opcial ion. I H toward Results (Ilaaiioi rh;!-, . Alter swelling, Septic Peritonitis, 

 Rupture or Scrotol Hernia), Castiation .)f Hulls and Lanibs, Ca-tiatiun of Ruptured Horses (the 

 Covered Operation)— Castration or Speying of Mares— Spej ing Cattle— Embryotomy— Firing- 

 Impregnation (Artificial)— Neurotomy and Neurectomy— Rumenotomy and Gastrotomy— Suturing 

 Wounds— Tracheotomy, Tenotomy — Trepanning. 



n. iMethods and Practices.— Bandaging and Massage— Backraking— Blistering— Catheter (passing the) — 

 Enemata — Fomenting, Bathing, and Poulticing — Slinging. 



In writing on animal diseases, reference needs to be frequently made 

 to what may be termed common operations and to various methods and 

 practices in common use by veterinary surgeons in their calling. These 

 concern both diagnosis and treatment, and it is here proposed to describe 

 shortly the more ordinary of them. 



I. -Operations. 

 Precautions Prior to Operations. 



Preparation. — Animals that are to be the subjects of major operations 

 involving throwing or chloroforming, should be specially prepared for a 

 few days beforehand by dieting. The food should be non-heating and 

 reduced in quantity. Animals in store condition are the best subjects for 

 operation. Those that are gross or fat, or in a highly-trained condition, 

 should be reduced by the giving of purgative medicine and suitable 

 exercise. If time will permit of choice as to weather conditions, opera- 

 tions should not be performed in bleak cold or wet weather, even though 

 the animal is to be kept under cover subsequently. 



Antiseptic Surgery. — Nowadays, the risk that used to accompany 

 many operations is done awav with bv the adoption of strictly antiseptic 

 surgery. This involves: — 



(a) The sterilization of all iiistninicnts used. — This mav be best secured 

 by the washing and boiling in water, to which a little carbonate of soda 

 has been added, of all metal instruments immediately after use. On 

 being put aw^ay they should be smeared with carbolic oil or some other 

 rust-preventing antiseptic. Instruments composed of material that will 

 not stand boiling, such as rubber and gum elastic, may be isterilized bv 

 soaking in a strong antiseptic solution. The boiling above described, 

 or sterilizing with dry heat in an oven, or bv passing through a bunsen 

 flame, ought to be repeated immediatelv prior to use. 



{b) The cleansing of the seat of tlie operation. — Close clipping or 

 shaving of the hair is essential to thorough cleansing. A subsequent 

 Avashing with soap and water should be carried out, and. immediatelv 

 prior to operating, the part should be rendered a-septic by sponging, with 

 alcohol or other antiseptic that will blend w^lth the skin. 



