344 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



inguinal ring or through an artificial opening made in front 

 and above that channel between the abdominal muscles and 

 the strong fascia on the inner side of the thigh (Poupart's 

 ligament). Whatever method is used the skin, hands, and 

 instruments should be rendered aseptic with a solution of 

 murcuric chloride, 1 part; water, 2,000 parts (a carbolic-acid 

 lotion for the instruments), and the spermatic cord is best 

 torn through by the ecraseur. In many such cases, too, it is 

 desirable to sew up the external wound and keep the animal 

 still to favor healing of the wound by adhesion. 



PAIN AFTER CASTRATION. 



Some horses are pained and very restless for some hours 

 after castration, and this may extend to cramps of the bowels 

 and violent colic. This is best kept in check by carefully 

 rubbing the patient dry when he rises from the operation 

 and then leading him in hand for some time. If the pain 

 still persists a dose of laudanum (one ounce for an adult) may 

 be given. 



BLEEDING AFTER CASTRATION. 



Bleeding from the wound in the scrotum and from the 

 little artery in the posterior portion of the spermatic cord 

 always occurs, and in warm weather may appear to be quite 

 free. It scarcely ever lasts, however, over fifteen minutes 

 and is easily checked by dashing cold water against the parts. 



Bleeding from the spermatic artery in the anterior part 

 of the cord may be dangerous when due precaution has not 

 been taken to prevent it. In such cases the stump of the 

 cord should be sought for and the artery twisted with artery 

 forceps or tied with a silk thread. If the stump cannot be 

 found pledgets of tow wet with tincture of muriate of iron 

 may be stuffed into the canal to favor the formation of clot 

 and the closure of the artery. 



STRANGULATED SPERMATIC CORD. 



If in castration the cord is left too long, so as to hang out 

 of the wound, the skin wound in contracting grasps and 

 strangles it, preventing the free return of blood and causing 

 a steadily advancing 1 swelling. In addition the cord becomes 

 adherent to the lipt> of the wound in the skin, whence it de- 



