242 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



is or is not retained, and is of no value for operative purposes, inas- 

 much as the position of the gland is often entirel}' altered when the 

 animal is cast. Furthermore, it should not be deferred until im- 

 mediately before operating, as the soiling of the hands and arms 

 immensely increases the diiftculty of properly disinfecting them. 



The anatomical relations of the parts are very clearly shown in 

 the accompanying figures, redrawn from Cadiot's work. 



Frohner divides the methods of operation into two groups, viz. the 

 inguinal and ventral. 



In the inguinal operation the incision is made in the neighbourhood 

 of the outer abdominal ring, and extended by blunt dissection towards 

 the inner abdominal ring, in the neighbourhood of which the 

 abdominal cavity is opened. In the ventral operation laparotomy is 

 performed either in the region of the flank or from the lower surface of 

 the abdomen. 



Cadiot recommends onl}- castrating such rig horses as are dangerous 

 or difficult to handle, and in other cases abstaining from operation. 

 He considers the beginning of the fourth 3-ear the best period, as the 

 descent or partial descent of the testicle often occupies a long time, 

 and when the testicle is onl}' partialh' developed the inguinal operation 

 proves difficult and sometimes dangerous. The operation demands 

 care and practice, but with antiseptic precautions loses much of its 

 danger, and is often of great service. 



The operation is easiest in horses which have been kept low for 

 some weeks and are in thin condition, because in them there is less fat 

 in the inguinal region. Some days before operation a dose of physic 

 is given to empty the bowel, and from that time the animal receives 

 only a limited amount of concentrated food like oats, with a little 

 hay, but no straw. On the morning of operation the bowel is emptied 

 by a subcutaneous injection of arecolin. Clysters are contra-indi- 

 cated. 



Thus prepared, the horse is cast on the side opposite the seat of 

 operation; the hind quarters are half rolled over, and lie somewhat 

 higher than the fore. The upper hind foot is then drawn forward and 

 fixed in a position of abduction and flexion, as in ordinary castration. 

 By previouslv cleansing the hoofs and lower part of the limbs and 

 surrounding them with moist cloths, and by moistening the hair- on 

 the upper part of the thigh the point of operation is protected against 

 infection. 



Three dishes, each containing 2 to 3 per cent, carbolic or i per cent, 

 chinosol solution, are necessary. After boiling, the instruments are 



