CASTRATION (RESULTS OF). 503 



wound, or an indiopathic case of tetanus maj^ also appear 

 without reference to the wound. For symptoms, treatment, 

 etc., see 'Tetanus.' 



Hernia. — Hernia may be present at the time of the oper- 

 ation, or may occur shortly after castration. If very great, 

 the animal lies down of his own accord in the majority of 

 cases ; but if he does not, it becomes necessary to east him. 

 As a rule the hernia exists previous to the operation, hence 

 a careful examination should invariably be made before 

 operating, to ascertain the presence or absence of hernia. 

 A portion of the bowels may descend to the ground and be- 

 come badly torn or lacerated by the animal stepping upon 

 them ; if they have sustained any such injury the animal 

 should be destroyed immediately, as the case is, of course, a 

 hopeless one, admitting of no remedy whatever. However, 

 if the bowels are not lacerated, a cure may be effected. 

 They should be gently and thoroughly cleansed by washing 

 with tepid water, after which they should be carefully 

 passed back into the abdominal cavity and retained by 

 means of clamps placed over the tunica vaginalis, or sutures 

 may be used ; the scrotum also may be clamped or sutured, 

 a cooling diet prescribed, and the animal kept perfectly 

 quiet for a few days, and as a rule the cure will be a per- 

 manent one. ' See Hernia.' 



Abscess of the Scrotum. — Abscess of the scrotum may 

 also occur as an abnormal result of the operation of castra- 

 tion. In some cases it may be directly due to the imprison- 

 ment of pus, in consequence of an insufficient opening having 

 been made into the scrotum and tunica vaginalis. The 

 entrance of foreign bodies, and exposure to cold, may give 

 rise to abscess of the scrotum, and fistulous openings may 

 also be present ; as a rule the formation of pus takes place 

 about three weeks after the performance of the operation. 

 The symptoms are the same as those of an abscess occurring 



