CASTRATION — SEQUELAE. 211 



is of little importance, and usually ceases spontaneously. Sometimes, 

 however, blood escapes in a fine stream, and the operator's first task 

 is to discover whence it comes. It may discharge from the side of 

 the clam, and is then usually derived from the skin wound or tunica 

 vaginalis ; such bleeding may be readily checked by the use of 

 tampons. Should it originate from the stump of the spermatic cord 

 and discharge below the clam greater care is required, and ligation 

 of the bleeding vessel becomes necessary. The slight bleeding which 

 sometimes follows castration by torsion may be stopped by plugging 

 the scrotum with tampons ; more severe bleeding calls for ligation 

 of the spermatic cord. 



When the clams are removed bleeding sometimes results from 

 tearing of small veins. Some care is therefore required in their 

 removal ; the best preventive of bleeding is to leave the clams in 

 position for two or three days. As a rule, haemorrhage of this kind 

 ceases spontaneously, but should it persist, the affected side of the 

 scrotum may be plugged with cotton wool or tow moistened with 

 solution of adrenalin. 



Excessive Swelling of the Scrotum and Sheath. As a rule, severe 

 swelling is due to infection, with retention of discharge, consequent 

 on the edges of the wound adhering, or to the operative wound 

 having been too small. Long rest in the stable also favours retention 

 of discharge and swelling. Should the operator be unskilled in 

 grasping the testicle, he is apt (especially in foals) to make the incision 

 too far back ; the anterior portion of the scrotum then forms a pocket 

 in which discharge accumulates, producing great swelling of the 

 sheath. Exercise both favours discharge and tends to prevent 

 adhesion between the spermatic cord and surrounding tissues, which 

 in itself is a frequent cause of discharge being retained. 



When unusual swelling occurs, the disinfected ringer should be 

 inserted in the operative wound, and attempts made to secure free 

 exit for discharge. The discharge accumulates more frequently 

 when the spermatic cord is adherent to the edges of the wound, for 

 which reason the spermatic cord is first sought for and the index 

 finger passed round it in order to break down adhesions ; the wound 

 is then rinsed out with a disinfecting fluid, after which the animal 

 is given walking exercise. Infection of the wounds is best avoided 

 by observing the principles of antisepsis. 



Castration Fever. After castration without antiseptic precautions, 

 trifling fever often appears, even within twenty -four hours. According 

 to Frohner's observations on 190 horses, it occurred in all but 27 

 per cent. ; 49 per cent, showed moderate, 18 per cent, somewhat 



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