DISEASES OF SWINE 507 



method sometimes used is-ligating it before cutting it off. The best 

 instrument to use is the emasculator. This instrument will so 

 crush the ends of the blood vessels that no hemorrhage follows the 

 operation. (Ind. B. 100.) 



COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING CASTRATION. 



This operation is not free from complications. Observations 

 have proven that they are more common when the work is done 

 carelessly, and no attention paid to antiseptic precautions, than if 

 the proper care and antiseptic precautions are observed. Hernia is 

 a rare complication of castration, but may be caused by jerking the 

 cord too hard when breaking it off, or from an injury to the pig 

 while handling it. When operating we should be prepared to treat 

 all cases of hernia, whether present at the time of the operation or 

 resulting from it. The covered operation should be used for scrotal 

 hernia. Hemorrhage is not a dangerous complication in pigs. In 

 old hogs it will occur if precautions are not taken against it. Ex- 

 cessive bleeding can be stopped by picking up the stump of the 

 cord and ligating it. Packing the scrotum with clean cotton and 

 suturing the incision in its walls may stop it. The cotton should 

 be left in the scrotum for at least a day. Tumor formation in the 

 scrotum is a common complication following castration. These 

 tumors are sometimes enormous in proportion to the size of the pig 

 and grow rapidly. If large, the pig does not thrive and becomes 

 stunted. It differs from scrotal hernia and hydrocele in that it is 

 very hard. The causes are infection of the parts with germs, either 

 at the time of operating or following it, and leaving the stump of 

 the cord too long. 



The treatment is to dissect the tumor out. This method of 

 treatment will not be successful unless all the growth is removed. 

 The operation is quite painful and frequently the pig dies as a 

 result of it. If the tumor is small and the operation skillfully per- 

 formed, the results are usually good. (Ind. B. 100.) 



CASTRATION OF "ORIGINALS." 



In "original" pigs the testicles fail to make their appearance 

 by descending through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. Usu- 

 ally but one testicle fails to descend into the bag. It may be found 

 in any part of the abdominal cavity, but in most cases is situated 

 in the region of the flank. 



The animal should be prepared for the operation by starving 

 it for about twelve hours. The operator's hands must be clean and 

 the antiseptic solutions and instruments gotten ready the same as 

 in castrating a straight pig. The pig is laid on its side upon the 

 floor or a board, the hind parts slightly elevated, and held there by 

 an assistant. The operator stands at the back and clips the hair from 

 the flank. An incision is made high up in the flank and midway 

 between the point of the hip and the last rib, and large enough to 

 introduce the fingers, or if necessary, the hand. When the testicle 

 is found it is cut off with the emaculator, or the cord ligated and 

 then cut. The incision in the walls of the abdomen is closed with 



