COMMON SURGICAL OPERATIONS 225 



all wool in the region of the scrotal sac should be clipped off, 

 as this interferes with drainage from the wound. 



Exercise foUowing castration is almost as essential as clean 

 quarters. Lack of exercise leads to opclematous swelling in the 

 region of the scrotum, and the lips of the incision may become 

 adhered if the animal is at rest. Colts and all mature animals 

 that are confined in close quarters should be examined within 

 forty-eight hours following the operation, and the condition of 

 the wound noted. If closed, the hands should be cleaned and dis- 

 infected, and the adhesion broken down with the fingers. It is 

 best to exercise horses daily. 



It is unsafe to expose castrated animals to cold, damp, chilly 

 weather. The shock and soreness resulting from the operation 

 render the animal highly susceptible to pleurisy and pneumonia. 

 This is especially true of young colts. 



Inguinal hernia or '" rupture " may complicate the operation. 

 This fonn of hernia is quite frequently met with in pigs, and 

 only occasionally in the other animals. This complication is 

 usually overcome by practising what is commonly termed the 

 covered operation. The pig is usually held or hung up by the 

 hind legs. A larger animal is placed on its back. The hernia 

 is reduced by manipulating the mass of intestines with the 

 fingers, so that they drop back into the abdominal cavity. The 

 part is carefully cleaned and disinfected and an incision made 

 through the scrotal wall, and the thin covering or serous sac 

 in which the testicle is lodged is exposed. The testicle with the 

 cord and covering is drawn well out of the scrotum and held by 

 an attendant. The operator then passes a needle carrying a 

 strong silk thread through the cord and covering, below the 

 point where he intends severing it. The needle is removed and 

 the cord and covering ligated at this point. The cord is then 

 cut off about one-half an inch from the ligature, and the incision 

 in the scrotum made plenty large in order to insure drainage. 

 It is very essential to the success of this operation that the 

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