200 



('ASTKATK)N BY THE COYKKIH) METHOD. 



any strain on the left spermatic cord. The wound and inner 

 surface of the left thigh are then carefully cleansed, the sheath is 

 drawn somewhat forward, the exposed stumps of the spermatic 

 cords are powdered with iodoform, and the horse is allowed 

 to rise. 



Formerly it was usual to divide the posterior non-vascular portion 

 of the cord before applying the clam. The method is not commend- 

 able, because the clam is then only suspended by the anterior 

 portion of the cord, which readily yields, allowing the clam to 

 descend. In the method described the clam, on the contrary, is 



suspended by the cre- 

 master and the vascular 

 portion of the cord. 



The horse may be 

 placed in a well venti- 

 lated stall, or loose box, 

 and tied up short in 

 order to prevent its lying 

 down. Its tail, which 

 should previously have 

 been plaited, is now 

 fastened to one side by 

 attachment to the sur- 

 cingle or to the shank 

 of a web halter passed 

 round the neck. Most 

 animals will at once eat 

 hay, which should be 

 given, as feeding dis- 

 tracts attention from the 

 seat of operation, and prevents restlessness. Should the animal strain 

 greatly, it should be watched, and, if restless, it may be walked about 

 at short intervals, or given an anodyne. 



In castration by the covered method the animal is prepared and 

 cast in precisely the same fashion as before described. The operator 

 first grasps the left (lower) testicle, taking particular care that the 

 scrotum is tightly stretched over it. The incision is at the same 

 point, but is made very long, dividing, however, only the skin and 

 tunica dartos, and exposing the fascial layers which lie between 

 the latter and the tunica vaginalis reflexa. By light cautious strokes 

 with the knife these layers are divided in the long axis of the testicle 

 until the tunica vaginalis reflexa, readily recognised by its dull 



Fig. 24:5. 



