182 SUBCUTANEOUS LIGATION 01 THE CORD. 



testicle was rotated, the lower end being brought to the top. In this 

 position the testicle was grasped with both hands, rotated several 

 times on its long axis, and then thrust into the inguinal canal. The 

 remaining testicle was similarly treated and a ligature applied around 

 the scrotum close to the outer abdominal ring and left in position 

 for forty-eight hours. At first some swelling developed but soon 

 afterwards disappeared, and the testicles underwent atrophy. The 

 original procedure, which in practised hands scarcely required five 

 minutes, has since been repeatedly modified, and has been practised 

 on horses. Morot recommends rotating the testicles from 6 to 9 

 times in bulls and 9 to 12 times in rams, and then to allow the 

 testicles to resume their natural position ; the application of a 

 ligature is unnecessary. The animals are said to show less pain 

 and can at once be returned to pasture. This method, however, 

 requires more exertion and skill on the part of the operator. 



(d) Subcutaneous Ligation of the Spermatic Cord was first recom- 

 mended by Martin for bulls, rams, and dogs. It is well adapted for 

 castrating goats provided antiseptic precautions be observed. The 

 animal is placed on its back and its legs are held by two strong 

 assistants ; the hair is shaved from either side of the neck of the 

 scrotum and the skin disinfected secundum artem. The spermatic 

 cord of one side is then thrust against the outer wall of the scrotum 

 by means of the finger and thumb and a tolerably strong silk thread 

 passed from behind forwards through the neck of the scrotum on 

 the inner side of the spermatic cord by means of a needle about two 

 inches long. The free end of the silk thread is then passed through 

 the eye of an otherwise similar but blunt-ipomted needle which is 

 returned, first through the point of exit, then through the scrotum 

 on the outer side of the spermatic cord, and lastly through the point 

 of entry. The thread thus forms a loop surrounding the spermatic 

 cord. The two ends are tightly tied together, the loose portions 

 snipped off close above the knot, and the ligature allowed to pass 

 into the scrotum ; the little puncture is painted with iodoform 

 collodion. The other spermatic cord is treated in precisely the 

 same way. Provided proper care be taken regarding antisepsis 

 suppuration does not occur and the animal seems to sutler 

 comparatively little. The testicles swell somewhat during the next 

 few days, but atrophy commences in from three to four weeks, and 

 the glands gradually and almost completely disappear. Moller states 

 that ligation is followed by necrosis as he ascertained by experiment. 

 To avoid the use of two needles Schmey invented a needle with the 

 eye near the point and a screw-joint in the centre of the shank. The 



