246 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



thread-like hardness render it easily recognised. It can, rrtoreover, be 

 brought forward with much less difficulty than the testicle itself, which, 

 when grasped and pulled on, causes struggling. The object to seek, 

 then, is a very small body, possessing a hard, string-like cord 

 (spermatic cord). As a large mesenteric artery might be mistaken 

 for it, the cord should be examined to detect pulsation. It is much 

 easier to discover the spermatic cord than the testicle. When drawn 

 forward, the spermatic cord is recognised by its light colour. By 

 gently pulling on it the testicle is drawn upwards through the opening, 

 though in exceptional cases the testicle may be so large as to offer 

 considerable resistance. As soon as the testicle appears outside the 

 wound, two, or if it be very large, three, carefully disinfected catgut or 

 silk ligatures are passed round the spermatic cord, which is then cut 

 off half an inch below the point of ligation, and allowed to return to 

 the inguinal canal. Not infrequently, however, the cord cannot be 

 brought into the wound. The testicle must then be recognised by 

 touch, and removed with the ecraseur. In cases of double-sided crypt- 

 orchidism the operation may be performed on each side in succession, 

 or, if the spermatic cords be sufficiently long, both testicles may be 

 removed through one wound. Some authorities allow an interval of a 

 month to elapse between the first and second operations. The wound 

 is closed with five to eight silk threads, powdered with iodoform-tannin 

 (i — 3) or boric acid, and covered with a layer of wood-wool or carbolic 

 wadding. Only when the spermatic cord or wound has been soiled is 

 it necessary to wash out with sublimate solution. 



This completes the operation, and the animal can be allowed to 

 rise. Once on its feet, a suspensory bandage can be applied if thought 

 necessary, but must be omitted if the animal be restless. The patient 

 is tied up for four days and kept on half rations, after which it may be 

 allowed to lie down, still wearing the dressings, which are removed, 

 however, after six to eight days. 



To diminish the danger of prolapse of the bowel the stall should be 

 higher at the back than at the front, so as to elevate the animal's 

 hind quarters. The tail should be plaited and fastened to one side. 



Should the bowel protrude during operation the inguinal canal may 

 be plugged with antiseptic gauze after removing the testicle. The 

 skin must be sutured. Degive also sutures the external abdominal ring. 

 A loop of intestine may descend after operation. In such case attempts 

 may first be made to return it by passing the hand into the rectum 

 and exercising traction, but if the intestine has been exposed to the air 

 the horse must be cast, the gut well disinfected and carefully replaced. 

 Bang sutures the muscular wall of the abdomen or the peritoneum. 



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