303 



738. Protrusion of the Omentum or Net. — This, like bleeding, 

 may occur at the time, or a few hours after the operation ; but the 

 protruding part can be cut off with a knife, or the scissors, close up 

 to the body, without any bad effects following. This I have done 

 several times. 



739. Escape of the Bowels through the incision is however very 

 dangerous, and generally due to the animal having had Scrotal Hernia 

 or Rupture. Should the bowels escape immediately the animal gets 

 on to its feet, they must at once be secured in a large bed sheet, which 

 is then tied up round the loins, brought under the tail and over the 

 quarter; the horse should then be re-cast, and the protruding bowel 

 returned, and the opening secured by a wooden clam. 



740. Septicaemia or Blood-poisoning may result from the animal 

 not being in a fit condition for the operation, also from the use of dirty 

 instruments, or from the operator having unclean hands, or from dirty 

 and filthy surroundings {par. 736). 



741. Abscesses. — These may form in the scrotum after castration, 

 and give rise to a great amount of trouble. Hot fomentations must 

 be used, and the parts opened when ready, that is when the swelling 

 is soft and doughy to the touch. This complication is more frequently 

 seen in bulls than in horses. 



742. Scirrhous Cord. — This is a thickening of the end of the cord, 

 which sometimes follows after castration ; it is generally of a hard 

 nature, in which small abscesses may gather, burst, and become very 

 troublesome. As to its origin, there is no well -defined cause. The 

 best and most radical treatment is to cast the animal and dissect the 

 diseased portion out, though some cases recover under the administra- 

 tion of two drachms of iodide of potassium, given daily for two to three 

 weeks. 



743. Peritonitis, or inflammation of the covering of the bowels 

 (par. 313), and Tetanus (par. 610) may also supervene. 



