CASTRA TION OF CRYPTORCHID HORSES. 143 



from the operative area. The cat being more subject to 

 infection than the bitch the aseptic precautions must be of 

 the strictest possible character. The operative area must 

 be thoroughly disinfected and cleansed and equal care must 

 be taken not to introduce irritant disinfectants into the 

 wound. A great danger also exists in the tendency of the 

 muscle layers of the abdomen to readily become separated by 

 pressure from the finger and form a pocket in which wound 

 discharges accumulate and constitute a dangerous seat for 

 infection. Great care must therefore be taken to make a 

 clean incision directly into the peritoneal cavity and to 

 avoid separating the peritoneum from the muscles or the 

 muscular layers from each other. The uterus and ovaries 

 of the cat are naked and far more easily distinguished than 

 in the bitch, there being no extra deposit of fat in the broad 

 ligament. The sutures are to be applied to the wound in 

 the same manner as in the bitch. 



32. CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHID HORSES. 

 Plates XXI and XXII. 



Instruments. Scalpel, emasculator. 



Technic. Confine the animal by casting in the dorsal 

 position with the hocks well flexed and both posterior 

 limbs completely abducted so as to fully expose the inguinal 

 region. Or secure upon the operating table on the side 

 oppo.site to the retained gland and abduct the upper pos- 

 terior limb by drawing it upward by means of a pulley. 

 Cleanse and disinfect the inguinal region. Anaesthize. 

 Make an incision about 10 to 12 cm. long through the skin 

 and dartos directly over the normal position of the scrotum, 

 parallel to the median raphe about 4 or 5 cm. distant from 

 it. Insert the two index fingers in the wound, press 

 them into the areolar tissue toward the external inguinal 



