294 VETERINAEY STUDIES 



with the castrating knife, the rest of the cord having been cut 

 first. 



For still older animals, an emasculator of the type shown in 

 Figure 95 is desirable both for convenience and safety. It is 

 well to hold the cord in the emasculator for a little while after 

 closing the jaws. 



Dangers. — On account of the peculiar anatomy of the parts 

 involved in castration, there are several possibilities of trouble. 

 The student should understand that the peritoneal or belly 

 cavity is continuous with the inguinal canal and sac around the 

 testicle. As the testicle of the young animal descends from the 

 belly to the scrotal cavity, it carries with it the peritoneum, 

 which forms a thin membranous sac closely around the testicle. 



Thus an infection of the interior of the scrotum or stump of 

 the cord, after removing the testicle, easily leads by extension 

 directly to the abdominal peritoneum and to a fatal peritonitis. 



Dangerous hemorrhage sometimes occurs after this operation, 

 hence the necessity of keeping recently castrated animals under 

 observation for a few hours. For control of hemorrhage, see 

 Lecture on Wounds. Such hemorrhage is usually due to too 

 rapid scraping or to accidental nicking of the artery above the 

 point of division or to a poor emasculator. Some animals are 

 natural bleeders, i.e., their blood does not clot and they bleed 

 dangerously from wounds that would be trivial for another. 



An incomplete or inguinal hernia may be overlooked and the 

 intestines come out after castration. Examine for such hernia 

 before removing the testicle. 



Premature closure of the incision may occur especially if the 

 incision is too small. Such closure prevents proper drainage and 

 favors dangerous disorders, leading to much swelling and even 

 to peritonitis. Make a reasonably long incision at the proper 

 place. If necessary, reopen the wound with clean fingers. 



Allow plenty of mild exercise beginning as soon as danger 

 from hemorrhage is past. 



Dehorning 



There are several ways of performing this useful operation, 

 all intended to either prevent the horn growth as in case of 

 young calves, or else to so remove the horn as to avoid the 

 growth of an unsightly stub. 



