CASTRATION BY THE UNCOVERED METHOD 201 



greyish-blue tint, is exposed. The knife is then discarded, the 

 operator grasps the testicle with the right hand and with the left 

 endeavours to free the tunica dartos, etc., from the tunica vaginalis 

 reflexa sufficiently far for a clam to be applied to the spermatic cord 

 above the epididymis. To facilitate the application of the clam, 

 the connective tissue layers should, if possible, be entirely separated 

 from the underlying tunica vaginalis. The clam, which must be 

 somewhat larger than that used in the uncovered operation, is applied 

 as before described, care being taken that it includes the whole 

 breadth of the spermatic cord. After carefully tying the clam, the 

 testicle and base of the cord are excised with a knife or scissors. 

 The second testicle is removed in a similar way, the parts are 

 cleansed, and the sheath drawn forwards. The horse is then allowed 

 to rise. The after-treatment is as above described. 



A modification of this method introduced by Degive consists 

 in opening the tunica vaginalis and exposing the testicle, but when 

 applying the clam, grasping and drawing down the edges of the 

 vaginal sheath so as to include them in the clam. It requires some 

 practice, because the vaginal sheath is very apt to elude the operator, 

 and it is difficult to again grasp and draw it forward. Attempts 

 were made by applying a pair of forceps to overcome this difficulty 

 and facilitate operation, but they necessitated the presence of a 

 skilled assistant. Moreover, the only advantage this method has 

 over the ordinary covered operation is, that when the common 

 vaginal sheath is short, it is less likely to be overstretched. It is, 

 however, useful when one has to deal with scrotal hernia which has 

 only been discovered at the moment of opening the tunica vaginalis. 



In castration by the uncovered method the clams are removed 

 after twenty-four hours, in many cases even earlier ; in young animals 

 especially they may be removed without danger within six to twelve 

 hours after operation. In Sweden and Denmark, Tidholm's method 

 is commonly used for castrating horses. Clams are applied to the 

 spermatic cords, which are firmly compressed. The clams, however, 

 are almost immediately removed, a ligature is applied, and the 

 testicles removed. In castration by the covered method, the clams 

 are usually left in position for forty-eight hours, though Degive 

 recommends leaving them three to five days. Moller also approves 

 the longer period, and finds that inflammatory symptoms are then 

 less marked, and fever rarer than when the clams are removed forty- 

 eight hours after operation. This is explained partly by the fact 

 that after the clams have been several days in position the necrosing 

 stump of the spermatic cord is not so liable to be retracted upwards, 



