220 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



or other disinfecting fluid, and endeavours to free the spermatic cord 

 from any adhesion with the scrotum by passing the index finger around 

 the stump of the cord. After castration with exposure of the testicle, 

 the finger can be passed around the spermatic cord, breaking down 

 any adhesions between it and the common vaginal sheath. If neces- 

 sary the operator grasps the edges of the wound arid draws them 

 downwards. In any case the spermatic cord must be returned 

 into the sac of the tunica vaginalis or into the scrotum. The escape 

 of considerable quantities of discharge is a favourable symptom, showing 

 that the adhesions which favoured retention are broken down. 



x\fter removing the second clam in a similar way a strong stream of 

 clean cold water or sublimate solution should be directed on the 

 scrotum ; it has the double effect of partially cleansing the wound 

 and — much more important — of causing retraction of the spermatic 

 cord. Vicious horses occasionally require to be cast for the above 

 manipulation. 



After removal of the clams the horse should be exercised daily for 

 half an hour or longer in a place free of dust ; in the country full-grown 

 horses are at once put to light work. Experience has shown that 

 long rest in the stable is disadvantageous. The good effects of 

 movement and exercise are largely due to the fact that they favour 

 escape of discharge. For a similar reason it is important to make 

 the incision through the scrotum as large and dependent as possible. 

 The extensive swellings which sometimes follow castration are almost 

 exclusively due to want of cleanliness in operation or to retention of 

 wound discharges. 



No special treatment of castration wounds is necessary. The 

 wound and neighbourhood should be cleansed daily with a clean 

 sponge and boiled water until suppuration ceases. When high fever 

 or severe swelling occurs, the wound should be opened with the dis- 

 infected hand, and any irritant discharge allowed to escape, after 

 which the parts should be freely washed out with a disinfectant fluid. 



In the horse castration with clams is still widely adopted on the 

 Continent. British operators, on the other hand, seem to be rapidly 

 relinquishing it. In two-year-old horses, bad results are seldom seen, 

 provided the necessary care and cleanliness are observed. The 

 greatest danger results from using dirty instruments and clams, 

 especially if soiled with virulent infective material. Practitioners 

 should exercise scrupulous care in this respect, and should carefully 

 disinfect all instruments used on animals suffering from septic diseases. 

 New clams should be used on each occasion. 



