184 The Diseases of Animals 



and to give free drainage. There are several layers 

 to cut through; when the inner one is cut usually a 

 little fluid (serum) spurts out. The cord should be 

 severed at least four inches from the testicle, to pre- 

 vent the cord from healing fast in the wound in the 

 scrotum and forming a tumor, commonly called a 

 "schirrous cord" or "champignon," that may attain a 

 large size. The only treatment for such tumor is to 

 remove it the same as a testicle, by surgical means. 

 There are many ways of severing the cord : 



1. By using an ecraseur or an emasculator, instru- 

 ments designed to crush blood-vessels and prevent 

 hemorrhage. Both of these instruments are very satis- 

 factory. 



2. By tying the cord with a small, strong string, 

 and cutting off the testicle with a knife close to the 

 string. 



3. By torsion or twisting. A clamp is put on the 

 cord and firmly held, a pair of forceps placed on the 

 cord between the clamp and testicle, about an inch 

 apart, the forceps turned in one direction until the 

 cord is twisted off. The objection to this method is 

 that it is slow. 



4. Searing the cord with a hot iron. A clamp is 

 firmly fastened on the cord. The testicle is then severed 

 with a knife and the end of the cord seared with a 

 hot iron. The objection to this is the pain to the 

 animal, and the time required. 



The old method of placing wooden clamps on the 

 cord is now discarded by good surgeons, except for 

 the "covered operation" when there is scrota! hernia. 



