COMPLICATIONS AFTER CASTRATION. 235 



ing fort\--Hve minims of a 10 per cent, solution of ergotin ; bleeding 

 stopped in twelve minutes. 



2. Excessive swelling in the neighbourhood of the castration 

 wound, especially about the sheath. As a rule, severe swelling is due 

 to retention of discharge, consequent on the edges of the wound 

 adhering, or to the operative wound having been too small. Long rest 

 in the stable also favours retention of discharge and swelling. Should 

 the operator be unskilled in grasping the testicle, he is apt (especially 

 in foals) to make the incision too far back ; the anterior portion of the 

 scrotum then forms a pocket in which discharge accumulates, producing 

 great swelling of the sheath. Exercise both favours discharge and 

 tends to prevent adhesion between the spermatic cord and surrounding 

 tissues, which in itself is a frequent cause of discharge being retained. 

 In other cases swelling results from virulent infection of the wound. 

 This can only be prevented by proper attention to cleanliness, for 

 which reason dusty places should be avoided for operating, and the 

 straw bed should previously be moistened. 



When unusual swelling occurs, the disinfected finger should be 

 inserted in the operative wound, and attempts made to secure free 

 exit for discharge. As a rule discharge accumulates more frequently 

 when the spermatic cord is adherent to the edges of the wound, for 

 which reason the spermatic cord is first sought for and the index finger 

 passed round it in order to break down adhesions ; the v/ound is then 

 rinsed out with a disinfecting fluid, after which the animal is given 

 walking exercise. Virulent infection is best avoided by observing the 

 principles of antisepsis. 



3. Castration fever. After castration without antiseptic precautions, 

 trifling fever often appears, even wdthin twenty-four hours. According 

 to Frohner's observations on igo horses, it occurred in all but 27 per 

 cent. ; 49 per cent, showed moderate, 18 per cent, somewhat severe, 

 and 5 per cent, high fever. Fever most frequently appears soon after 

 the clams are removed, especially if this be done within the first two 

 da}'s after castration. 



Where fever is moderate, the animal should receive walking exer- 

 cise for half an hour a day. Should the temiperature in the horse rise 

 above 103° F., the wound must be carefully examined with the disin- 

 fected forefinger, any discharge allowed to escape, and the parts 

 washed out with a disinfectant. As a rule the temperature then falls 

 in a few hours. 



4. Septic fever is evidenced by high rise in temperature, frequent 

 pulse, and severe general disturbance. The pulse, which in simple 

 wound fever scarcely rises above normal, is then not only frequent, 



