212 COMPLICATIONS AFTER CASTRATION. 



severe, and 5 per cent, high fever. Fever most frequently appears 

 soon after the clams are removed, especially if this be done within 

 the first two days after castration. 



Where fever is moderate, the animal should be exercised for 

 half an hour a day. Should the temperature in the horse rise above 

 103° F., the wound must be carefully examined with the disinfected 

 fingers, any discharge allowed to escape, and the parts washed out 

 with a disinfectant. As a rule the temperature then falls in a lew 

 hours. 



Septic fever is evidenced by high rise in temperature, frequent 

 pulse, and severe general disturbance. The pulse is not only frequent, 

 but small and weak, and the appetite is usually completely in 

 abeyance, even water being sometimes refused. Not infrequent I \ 

 the castration wound shows no swelling whatever, a symptom which, 

 when associated with high fever, is always serious. On the other 

 hand, severe and widespread swelling, sometimes extending as far 

 as the breast, may occur. Such symptoms call for energetic treat- 

 ment. The most important point is thoroughly to cleanse the wound 

 with a lukewarm disinfectant ; other symptoms must be treated 

 as they arise. Careful attention to cleanliness during operation is 

 the best safeguard against this complication, and it is worth remem- 

 bering that the directions given to the owner regarding the cleansing 

 of the operation wounds are often entirely neglected. 



Peritonitis. Inflammation of the peritoneum may follow- cas- 

 tration either in consequence of the w-ound being infected, or of 

 discharge being retained. In either case infection is carried upwards 

 by the spermatic cord from the neighbourhood of the scrotum 

 towards and eventually into the peritoneal cavity. High fever, 

 restlessness, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite are the most 

 important symptoms. Treatment consists in thoroughly cleansing 

 the wound and providing for escape of discharge. Should peritonitis 

 follow infection of the wound, the prognosis becomes extremely 

 grave. 



Prolapse of the cord consists in protrusion of the spermatic cord 

 beyond the wound in the scrotum. It may be caused by dragging 

 on the cord, by applying the clams too low, or by using too heavy 

 clams. Prolapse is not infrequent in weakly animals, especially if 

 the adhesions between the spermatic cord and outer skin be not 

 broken down w'hen the clams are removed. Should the spermatic 

 cord not be soon returned into the scrotal wound or tunica vaginalis 

 a spermatic fistula may result, and is often succeeded by chronic 

 funiculitis or scirrhous cord. 



