PASSING THE CATHETER 



177 



which is charged with a paste of perchloride of mercury and whiting, or 

 some other destructive agent, which, together with the compression of the 

 cord, corrode and strangulate the tissues. When this has been effected the 

 clamps are removed. A quicker way of performing the standing operation 

 is by severing the 



FREE 



LOCKED 



Fig. 523. —Ecraseur 



cord at once with a 

 double-toothed instru- 

 ment (fig. 522), which 

 compressesand divides 

 it at the same time, 

 no clamp or other 

 means of arresting 

 haemorrhage being- 

 adopted. Another instrument, known as the ecraseur (fig. 523), and first 

 introduced into this country by a famous American castrator, is in the 

 nature of a chain, and performs its task in a similar manner to the crushing 

 serrated instrument last referred to. The advocates of the standing opera- 

 tion not only claim to avoid those accidents which result from casting, but 

 likewise to ensure greater cleanliness and less liability to infection of the 

 wounds while the horse is upon the ground. 



PASSING THE CATHETER 



This operation has been several times alluded to in connection with 

 diseases of the urinary and generative systems. Its opportune performance 

 may sometimes be the means of saving life, and of affording great relief in 

 certain disorders, both in the male and female animal. 



The male catheter (fig. 524) is an instrument some 4 feet in length, 

 and composed of flexible material in order to accommodate itself to the 

 curves over which it is required to pass on its way to the bladder. 



It is hollow throughout its length, and commonly provided with a 

 stilette of pliable material, such as whalebone. The end to be passed into 

 the canal is provided with a nozzle, of some harder substance, perforated in 

 several places to admit the urine, and not therefore depending on a single 

 orifice at the point, which may be blocked by mucus, blood, or other 

 products of disease. 



It may be passed when the animal is either standing or in a recumbent 

 posture. If standing, the operator will adopt measures to secure his own 

 safety, and take up a position on the horse's right side, where, with his 

 left hand, he can seize the penis, and by exerting gentle but continuous 

 traction overcome the resistance of the retractor muscles, and draw out the 



Vol. III. 77 



