DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 187 



Abnormal Results. — Suppose you have properly performed the 

 operation and let the colt up, and hemorrhage exists, which may be 

 from the spermatic artery, or from the veins of the scrotum, or from 

 the artery of the cord. When you cut through you are likely to 

 cut through convolutions of the £ft:tery, and so have three or four 

 ends, and you should see that you secure the right end. If 

 the hemorrhage is from the spermatic artery, it runs freely, 

 for this is the largest artery in the body that gives off no 

 branches. As to the way of arresting hemorrhage is from the 

 spermatic artery, there is no difference of opinion. If it is 

 very profuse and endangers the animal, throw him and endeavour 

 to get hold of the cord, which you can do easily, in many 

 cases. If a good opening has been made in the scrotum and tunica 

 vaginalis, put the finger well down and get hold of and gradually 

 bring the cord up and secure it in the way you think best. The best 

 way, perhaps, is to ligature it, or you may use the hot iron ; but if 

 you have difficulty in getting it, then endeavour to arrest it by styptics 

 and compression, by plugging with tow saturated with iron or acetate 

 of lead. However, there may be internal hemorrhage, but this is the 

 exception and not the rule, and I would recommend this, in some 

 cases, instead of throwing the animal. The plug should be left in 

 for twenty-four or thirty-six hours. Considerable swelling may 

 result, but there are generally no serious consequences from it. Cold 

 water to the loins, and to the parts, is also a method of arresting the 

 hemorrhage. I questioned, at one time, whether an animal in good 

 health, and one year old, would bleed to death from one cord, but I 

 am now convinced differently. I would prefer styptics in some 

 cases. Sometimes a secondary hemorrhage occurs from rupture of 

 the cord above the clam, but it is rare. 



Hernia is another abnormal result, and it may exist previous to 

 the operation, or the operation may be performed and hernia not 

 noticed until the animal gets up ; and it is possible it may occur 

 during the operation. When hernia exists, prepare the animal and 

 use the covered operation — by cutting down and exposing the testicle 

 still in the tunica vaginalis; and place the clam over the testicle, 

 tunica vaginalis and all. If hernia takes place as soon as the animal 

 gets up, the operator is often blamed ; but it may occur during the 

 operation. If you should begin to operate, and hernia is present, 

 return the testicle and stitch up the scrotum, and do not operate at 

 that time. But if it occurs soon after the operation, as it often does, 

 so that the bowels protrude, even in some cases to the ground and are 

 trampled upon, then destroy the animal ; but if the bowels are not 

 injured, throw the animal — or he will perhaps lie down — secure him, 

 cleanse the intestines nicely and return them, and stitch up the 

 scrotum close to the inguinal ring, and apply a clam over the scrotum, 

 or if you have not a clam, ligature the scrotum for the time being, 

 bnt if the intestines are impaired, inflammation and peritonitis may 

 cause death. 



Scirrhous Cord, or Champignon, may follow any method of ope- 

 ration, but is more likely to follow the caustic clam than any other, 

 for it is necessary to keep the clams on for some time ; after that 

 the cord perhaps protrudes, causing more or less irritation ; adhe- 

 sion takes place between the cord and the scrotum, but we scarcely 

 call it scirrhous cord, unless it becomes enlarged. If in three or 

 four weeks the cord protrudes and adheres to the edges of the 



