582 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



in case of strangulated hernia, which in fact the case has 

 now become. Should a portion of omentum protrude,, and 

 be not easily returnable, it had better be cut off.^ 



The consequences of CASTRATION are either 

 normal or abnormal. The former comprise pain, inflamma- 

 tion, and its sequels, tumour, suppuration : the latter, hemor- 

 rhage, hernia, peritonitis and enteritis, cha,mpignon and 

 scirrhus, gangrene, tetanus and palsy, amaurosis, strangles, 

 farcy and glanders. 



The NORMAL or natural Consequences are, expression 

 of pain, more or less violent, which gradually subsides in the 

 course of a few hours after the operation ; and tumour of 

 the parts, appearing about the second day, greatest in the 

 anterior or most dependent portion of the sheath, and, 

 according to D^Arboval, greater in colts than adult horses. 

 Even though the swelling be considerable, still so long as it 

 is confined to this part, and is evidently " dropping,^^ it need 

 excite no alarm. It is only when the tumour occupies the 

 circumference of the wounds, acquires a globular and tense 

 and shining aspect, extends underneath the belly, and occa- 

 sions evident stiffness and dragging of the hind quarters, 

 that it will become necessary to pay especial attention to it ; 

 not so much on account of its liability to augment outwardly, 

 and occasion (as it sometimes does) a sort of phymosis and 

 difficulty of staling, as from its inwardly extending up the 

 cord, and ending we know hardly where or in what. A full 

 bloodletting is of all others the best counter-active of such 

 extension. Frequent walking exercise likewise contributes 

 much to the dispersion of the swelling. Fomentation may 

 occupy the intervals. And let copious enemata supply the 

 place of a cathartic ; though, should that appear requisite, I 

 would give it, notwithstanding certain alleged objections, 

 without hesitation. When tumour and tension is excessive, 

 scarifications will often afford great relief: should the conse- 

 quent issue be reddish, filamentous, and serous, D^Arboval 

 says, it is ominous of a tendency to peritonitis and gangrene, 



' For further information on this subject turn back to the account of the 

 operation for the " Hernia of Castration,'* at p. 390. 



