224 SURGICAL DISEASES 



of cutting off the cord. The emasculator is used here. This 

 instrument crushes the stump of the cord and prevents hemor- 

 rhage from the cut ends of the blood-vessels. Careful aseptic 

 precautions must be observed in operating on colts, as they are 

 very susceptible to wound infection and peritonitis. 



The blood-vessels of the testicular cord are larger in the adult 

 animals, and the danger from hemorrhage is greater than in the 

 young. For this reason, it is advisable to use an emasculator 

 in castrating all mature animals. 



Complications Following Castration. — The hemorrhage 

 from the wound and stump of cord is usually unimportant in 

 the young animals. Serious hemorrhage from the vessels of 

 the cord sometimes occur in the adult, and a persistent hemor- 

 rhage results when a subcutaneous vein is cut in making the in- 

 cision in the scrotum. This complication is not usually serious, 

 and can be prevented and controlled by observing proper pre- 

 cautions in cutting off the cord, or by picking up the cut ends of 

 the vessel and ligating it. Packing the scrotal sack with sterile 

 gauze or absorbent cotton, and closing the incision with sutures 

 may be practised for the purpose of stopping this form of 

 hemorrhage. The packing should be removed in about twelve 

 hours. 



The infection of the wound always follows castration. If 

 the incision is small and the operation is followed by swelling 

 of the neighboring tissues, the clotted blood, wound secretions 

 and pus become penned up in the scrotal sack. Local blood 

 poisoning or peritonitis follows. This is not an uncommon 

 complication. It can be prevented by aseptic precautions in 

 operating, and insuring good drainage by extending the incision 

 to the lowest part of the scrotal sac. The scrotal sac always 

 contracts down and becomes more or less swollen within a day or 

 two following castration. We must keep this in mind when 

 enlarging the opening, and be sure and make it plenty large to 

 permit the escape of the infectious matter. In castrating sheep, 



