206 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



Treatment. — Cut if off with a pair of scissors. There i<- 

 no danger from bleeding. Watch the case to detect a re 

 currence. 



10. Abscess of the Scrotum. 



This generally occurs after the cuts have healed and the 

 case appears to be progressing favorably. 



Causes. — It is the result of irritation because of some 

 foreign body being allowed to remain in the scrotum — a 

 sliver, a piece of dried animal matter or a dead piece of the 

 cord. The irritation results in fester and forms an abscess. 



Symptoms. — There is heat, pain and swelling around the 

 scrotum or bag, and the animal will walk very stiff with his 

 hind legs. 



Treatment. — Poultice and bathe well. Rub with weak 

 white liniment to bring the abscess to a head; then lance it 

 and allow the matter to run out. In some cases the poultice 

 will bring it to a head and it will break of its own accord. 



11. Swelling After Castration. 



Causes. — The swelling is a natural outcome of the in- 

 flammation caused by exposure — lying on damp, cold ground, 

 standing in cold east winds or in a cold rain. Allowing the 

 cut to heal too quickly and thus prevent the natural discharge, 

 contamination from foreign matter — dirt — on the hands of 

 the operator or the instruments, or standing in a dirty stable 

 may cause it, or it may be because of a poor condition of the 

 blood. 



Symptoms. — As we mentioned before, a small amount of 

 swelling is not a bad sign, but if this swelling increases until 

 it is profuse about the cuts and around the scrotum as well 

 as in the sheath and up the belly as far as the front legs, the 

 symptoms are alarming. There is severe stiffness and a 

 desire to remain quiet because of the pain produced in mov- 

 ing the limbs. The appetite is poor and if the discharge be 

 of a red water-like color the symptoms become still more 

 alarming, so much so that the case is serious and demands 

 immediate attention. 



Treatment. — Keep the bowels loose by giving small doses 

 of raw linseed oil. Bathe the cuts well with warm water and 

 tap the point of the sheath, and belly if necessary, in a few 

 places with a sharp penknife or lance, allowing the watery 



