474 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



and suturing the wound will complete the operation. An adhesive 

 plaster bandage can be beneficially applied. 



The operation by the vagina is more complicated and requires 

 special and expensive instruments. The mode of procedure in brief 

 is as follows : A speculum is introduced into the vagina and an in- 

 cision is made into the superior wall of that passage about 2 inches 

 from the neck of the uterus, cutting from below upward and from 

 before backward. Make an incision which should not exceed 3V2 

 inches in length. The next step is to get possession of the ovaries. 

 They are situated in a fold of the broad ligament and should be 

 drawn carefully into the vagina through the incision. Now take 

 the long-handled scissors specially made for this purpose, with 

 which the thick border of the broad ligament is divided. The tor- 

 sion forceps are introduced and applied to the broad ligament above 

 the ovary. The left hand is then introduced and the thumb and 

 the index finger grasp hold of the broad ligament above the forceps. 

 Now commence with the right hand to apply torsion and thus re- 

 move the ovary. The other ovary may be removed in the same 

 manner. 



The operation of castration is by no means a serious one, and 

 when properly performed there is little danger from complications. 

 Although the danger is trifling, the complications which may arise 

 are sometimes of a serious nature. Hemorrhage, either primary or 

 secondary, tetanus, or lockjaw, abscesses, hernia, or rupture, gan- 

 grene, and peritonitis are the most serious complications that follow 

 castration. Whichever complication arises will require its own spe- 

 cial treatment, which we will not go into here, as it will be fully 

 dealt with under another heading. We would add, however, that 

 generally speaking, the animal, after being castrated, should either 

 be regularly exercised or be allowed freedom so that it can exercise 

 itself. Drafts of cold air or sudden changes of the temperature are 

 dangerous. The animal should be fed moderately, but of a diet 

 easily digestible. Other surgical operations, not described in this 

 chapter, may be found in other parts of this work by reference to 

 the index. (Ark. Exp. Sta. Bui. 8; S. Car. Exp. Sta. Bui. 27 (New 

 Series) ; Virginia Exp. Sta. Bui. 7 (New Series), Vol. I.; Virginia 

 Exp. Sta. Bui. 1 (New Series), Vol. VII.; Georgia Exp. Sta. Bui. 

 21; Maryland Exp. Sta. Bui. 78.) 



LIST OF OTHER PUBLICATIONS CONSULTED AND ABRIDGED ABOVE. 



Special Report on Diseases of Cattle: U. S. Dept. of Agricul- 

 ture, Washington, D. C. 



Eye Diseases of the Domestic Animals: Alabama Agr. Exp. 

 Sta. Bulletin 43. 



Acute Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea in cattle) : Cali- 

 fornia Agr. Exp. Sta. Bulletin 219. 



Contagious Sore Eyes of Cattle: Kansas Agr. Exp. Sta. Press 

 Bulletin 115. 



Conjunctivitis (simple ophthalmia) : U. S. Bureau of Ani- 

 mal Industry Circular 65. 



