THE URINARY SYSTEM 425 



extent occurs ; this drops down into the sheath, and, if left alone for 

 five or six days, usually disappears. Should the sheath be very big 

 and pendulous, stabbing with a small lancet, a darning-needle, or 

 the point of a clean penknife, allows the escape of the collected serum. 

 Precautions. — Before operating it ' is of the utmost importance to 

 ascertain that there is no cold, influenza, strangles, or the like, 

 amongst the animals on the farm, or even on the neighbouring 

 farms. Furthermore, the operator must see that his hands and 

 person are thoroughly clean and aseptic, as it is highly dangerous to 

 operate after removing cleansings, making post-mortems, and the 

 like. The owner should also take every care that the box is 

 thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and the bedding should be of 

 clean straw. Often when blood-poisoning follows the operation the 

 operator is blamed, when the real cause is the dirt and filth in the 

 box in which the animal has been placed. Complications. — There are 

 many matters of a serious nature that may arise after castration, 

 particularly in the horse, even when the operation has been per- 

 formed with skill and dexterity, and without any fault on the part 

 of the operator, such as haemorrhage (bleeding), protrusion of 

 the omentum (net) or bowels, septicaemia, peritonitis, tetanus, 

 abscesses, scirrhous cord, etc. 



742. Bleeding may take place immediately after the operation, 

 but by walking the animal about and dashing a few pails of cold 

 water under the tail matters will probably be set right. When the 

 haemorrhage comes on a few hours after, the opening must be 

 plugged with tow well saturated with tincture of iron and water. 

 This plug should be removed in twelve or twenty-four hours, and the 

 opening re-dressed, if necessary. Bleeding more often happens in 

 the young bull than in the horse, and in some cases it is necessary 

 to cast the animal again, get hold of the cord, and tie a ligature 

 round it. 



743. Protrusion of the Omentum, or Net— This, like bleed- 

 ing, 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 



