96 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



and an incision made through the envelopes as nearly 

 parallel with the median line of the body as the case 

 permits, when the tumor and the cord are carefully dis- 

 sected and separated from their adhesions. If the 

 tumor is suspended from the end of the cord there 

 will be no difficulty in applying the clamp above it 

 and upon a healthy portion of the cord. But if the 

 diseased process extends within the inguinal canal, 

 there will be need of great caution in dissecting the 

 cord up to the healthy structure. In doing this the 

 safer mode will be for the operator to treat the ad- 

 hesions with the fingers or the blunt end of the 

 scissors, rather than to employ the sharp edge of the 

 bistoury with the accompanying danger of causing 

 hemorrhage. If, on the contrary, the cord is dis- 

 eased to an extent that renders it difficult to reach a 

 healthy portion, other modes of operation as by the 

 ligature become the wiser and more practicable 

 indication. When the clamps are used it is neces- 

 sary to leave them in place for several days, and 

 sometimes they are allowed to slough off, while the 

 growth is usually suffered to remain for a few days 

 after the operation. 



Ligature. When this mode of procedure is adopted, 

 the tumor having been dissected and the cord well 

 freed from its adhesions with surrounding parts, 

 and the ligature being applied, the tumor may either 

 be amputated immediately or be left to slough off in 

 its own time. The ligature may be either of twine, 

 silk, or elastic cord. We have ourselves operated 

 by this method in the successful removal of growths 



