LIGATION, ETC., OF THE SPERMATIC CORD. 207 



5. Ligation of the Spermatic Cord, that is, of the anterior vas- 

 cular portion, has been repeatedly recommended by various operators. 

 At first sight this method appears the most natural and surgical ; 

 nevertheless it has not found general acceptance. Even those 

 operators who first recommended it have since given it up. It is 

 certainly not suitable for all species of animals, and although 

 carnivora and old boars can readily be castrated in this way, and 

 although with certain precautions the method is also practicable in 

 ruminants, yet it cannot be recommended for horses. 



In this operation the spermatic cord is exposed, the non-vascular 

 portion divided with scissors, and after ligaturing the anterior part with 

 disinfected hemp, catgut, or silk, or applying an elastic ligature, the 

 cord is snipped off \ inch below the ligature. Other operators perforate 

 the cord, ligature the anterior portion, and then divide the entire cord. 



Lafosse recommended simple ligation of the spermatic artery.. By 

 stretching and flattening out the cord on the index finger of the left 

 hand, and feeling carefully with the thumb the artery may be 

 recognised as a stout pulsating vessel in the anterior portion of the 

 cord. A needle is passed behind the artery, about ij inches to 2 

 inches above the testicle, and ligation performed, after which the 

 spermatic cord is divided ij inches below. 



6. In former times Lafosse recommended Simple Division of the 

 Spermatic Cord. Experiments made by him, Barthelemy, Goubaux, 

 Hering, and others showed that under certain circumstances this 

 method is not followed by fatal bleeding, even in large animals. At 

 the same time, there is absolutely no ground for suggesting that it is a 

 safe procedure. In many cases severe bleeding occurred, and although 

 not proving fatal, nevertheless greatly weakened the animals. One 

 horse lost 27 pounds of blood. In carnivora this method of castration 

 is not followed by severe bleeding, though even in their case it is not 

 reliable. 



7. Division of the Spermatic Cord by the Cautery is 

 one of the oldest methods of castration, and even yet is frequently used 

 in horses and bulls. It is undoubtedly, however, painful, and, as 

 equally reliable and less painful methods are available, has been relin- 

 quished by many. A heavy hatchet-shaped iron, which will retain its 

 heat for a considerable time, is used. The spermatic cord is exposed 

 as above indicated, and a broad iron or wooden clam is applied 

 immediately above the epididymis, serving both to fix the cord and 

 guard neighbouring parts from the heat. The spermatic cord is 

 divided about an inch below the clam, and the stump repeatedly 

 touched with the back of the iron, until, on cautiously relaxing the 



