170 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



guinal ling or through an artificial opening made in front and above 

 that channel between the abdominal muscles and the strong fascia' on 

 the inner side of the thigh (Poupart's ligament). Whatever method 

 is used, the skin, hands, and instruments should be rendered aseptic 

 with a solution of mercuric chlorid 1 part, water 2,000 parts (a car- 

 bolic-acid lotion for the instruments), and the spermatic cord is best 

 torn through by the ecraseur. In many such cases, too, it is desirable 

 to sew up the external wound and keep the animal still, to favor heal- 

 ing of the wound by adhesion. 



CONDITIONS FOLLOWING CASTRATION. 



Pain after castration. — Some horses are pained and very restless 

 for several hours after castration, and this ma}' extend to cramps of 

 the bowels and violent colic. This is best kept in check by carefully 

 rubbing the patient dry when he rises from the operation, and then 

 leading him in hand for some time. If the pain still persists a 

 dose of laudanum (1 ounce for an adult) may be given. 



Bleeding after castration. — Bleeding from the wound in the scro- 

 tum and from the little arter}^ in the posterior portion of the sper- 

 matic cord always occurs, and in warm weather may appear to be 

 quite free. It scarcely ever lasts, however, more than 15 minutes, 

 and is easily checked by dashing cold water against the j)art. 



Bleeding from the spermatic artery in the anterior part of the cord 

 may be dangerous when due precaution has not been taken to prevent 

 it. In such case the stump of the cord should be sought for and 

 the artery twisted with artery forceps or tied with a silk thread. 

 If the stump can not be found, pledgets of tow wet with tincture of 

 muriate of iron may be stuffed into the canal to favor the formation 

 of clot and the closure of the artery. 



Strangulated spermatic cord. — If in castration the cord is left 

 too long, so as to hang out of the wound, the skin wound in con- 

 tracting grasps and strangles it, preventing the free return of blood 

 and causing a steadily advancing swelling. In addition the cord 

 becomes adherent to the lips of the wound in the skin, whence it 

 derives an increased supply of blood, and is thereby stimulated to 

 more rapid swelling. The subject walks stiffly, with a straddling gait, 

 loses appetite, and has a rapid pulse and high fever. Examina- 

 tion of the wound discloses the partial closure of the skin wound and 

 the protrusion, from its lips, of the end of the cord, red, tense, and 

 varj'ing in size from a hazelnut upward. If there is no material swell- 

 and little protrusion, the wound may be enlarged with the loiife and 

 the end of the cord broken loose from anv connection with the skin 

 and pushed up inside. If the swelling is larger, the mass constitutes 

 a tumor and must be removed. (See below.) 



