COMMON SURGICAL OPERATIONS 223 



less from castration. Clean quarters and surroundings are very 

 necessary to the success of the operation. 



The instruments required are sharp knives, preferably a 

 heavy scalpel and a probe-pointed bistoury, an emasculator for 

 large and mature animals, and surgeon's needles and sutjre 

 material. Eopes and casting harness are frequently used for 

 confining and casting the large and mature animals. Two 

 clean pans or pails tilled with a two per cent water solution of 

 liquor cresolis compositus, or an equally reliable disinfectant, 

 should be provided for cleaning the scrotum and neighboring 

 parts and the instruments. Pieces of absorbent cotton or oakum 

 may be used in washing and cleaning the scrotum. The instru- 

 ments should be sterilized in boiling water before using. 



// a number of pigs or lambs are to be castrated, it is best 

 to confine them in a small, clean, well-bedded pen. This enables 

 the attendant to catch them quickly and without unnecessary 

 excitement or exercise. They should be taken to an adjoining 

 pen to be castrated. The scrotum should be w^ashed with the 

 disinfectant, and the testicles pressed tightly against the scrotal 

 wall. An incision parallel with the middle line or raphe and a 

 little to one side is made through the skin and the coverings of 

 the testicle, and the testicle pressed out through the incision. 

 The testicle and cords are then jjulled well out and the cord 

 broken off with a quick jerk and twist, or scraped off with a 

 knife. The latter method is to be preferred in large lambs if 

 the operator does not have an emasculator. The incision in the 

 scrotum should be extended from its base to the lowest part, in 

 order to secure perfect drainage. 



Young calves may be castrated in the standing position or 

 when cast and held on the side. The method of operating is the 

 same as recommended for pigs and lambs. 



The castration of the colt may be performed in either the 

 standing position or w^hen cast. The method of operating is 

 the same as practised in the smaller animals with the exception 



