76 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



First; the incision of the scrotum and the dartos. 

 The operator, with or without the aid of an assist- 

 ant, makes a straight longitudinal incision upon the 

 scrotum at the place where the testicle is nominally 

 situated, carefully dividing, also, the yellow fibrous 

 layer which represents the dartos, being especially 

 careful at this point to avoid the large venous 

 branches which abound in the region involved. A 

 sort of hooked bistoury is, we understand, preferred 

 by some veterinarians for this incision, on the score 

 of the additional safety secured by the use of an 

 instrument of that form. 



Second step ; exposure of the external inguinal ring. 

 To accomplish this the loose cellular tissue which 

 lies under the dartos is torn and divided by the 

 fingers until the ring is felt. The 



Third step is the dissection of the vaginal sheath. 

 The sheath being situated at varying depths, the 

 dissection is effected by carefully introducing the 

 hand into the inguinal canal, and separating it as 

 much as possible by passing the fingers around its 

 external surface. 



Fourth step ; opening the sheath. The opening is 

 made lengthwise, and of sufficient width to allow of 

 the passage of the testicle. When this organ is sit- 

 uated high up in the ring, it is frequently difficult to 

 grasp it and keep it sufficiently steady in position to 

 permit the free use of the bistoury. The sheath 

 being opened and all the testicular envelopes divided, 

 we complete the operation by perfecting the 



Fifth stage, or the removal of the testicle. There are 



