220 CRYPTORCHII) CASTRATION. 



Some operators prefer to secure the horse in the dorsal or semi- 

 dorsal position, with the hocks well flexed and the thighs held widely 

 separated by means of a rope passed round the croup from one hind 

 limb to the other. This position greatly facilitates operation, 

 especially in cases of abdominal retention of the testicles. 



Three dishes, each containing 2 or 3 per cent, carbolic solution 

 should be provided. After boiling, the instruments (convex bistoury, 

 artery forceps, and ecraseur), are placed in one and the ligatures and 

 needles in the second ; the third is used by the operator for moistening 

 his hands before exploring the inguinal canal ; in a fourth dish, 

 pledgets of aseptic cotton wool are placed in readiness. The animal 

 having been cast and partly chloroformed, the seat of operation is 

 scrubbed with soap and water, washed with ether, and disinfected 

 with iodine, carbolic, or sublimate solution. The inguinal region, 

 penis, sheath, lower surface of abdomen, and inner surface of the 

 thighs must all be included. The disinfected sheath is plugged with 

 a tampon of cotton avooI. As soon as anaesthesia is well advanced, 

 the assistants holding the dishes place themselves near the operator, 

 who has carefully disinfected his hands and arms and rolled his 

 sleeves above the elbows. The operation is divided into the following 

 stages :— 



(a) An incision about three or four inches long, parallel with the 

 raphe, is made through the skin and dartos, near the outer inguinal 

 ring or a little forward of the position of the usual castration wound. 

 Care must be taken to avoid wounding the large veins that cross 

 this region ; any bleeding vessels should at once be ligatured or 

 twisted, and blood removed with pledgets of cotton wool. 



(b) The connective tissue lying between the wound and the 

 entrance to the inguinal canal is torn through with one or two 

 fingers of both hands placed back to back. This process of dilacera- 

 tion is continued down to the external inguinal ring, the posterior 

 commissure of which lies in the angle between the prepubian tendon 

 and the anterior border of the pubis. 



(c) The index and middle fingers of one hand are then passed 

 into the canal to ascertain if the testicle, epididymis, or any part of 

 the testicular cord is within reach of the hand. Should the testicle 

 be met with at this stage (retentio inguinalis), the operation becomes 

 very simple, being, in fact just like ordinary castration. Sometimes, 

 however, only a more or less short and restricted vaginal sheath, 

 enclosing a loop of the spermatic cord or a portion of the epididymis, 

 can be felt in the inguinal canal. Incision of the sheath with traction 

 on the cord or epididymis may enable the testicle to be withdrawn, 



