34 SPRING-TIME SURGERY 



Sources of Infection. — Aside from the disim- 

 fection of the instrument and of the hands, arma 

 and clothing of the operator, there are other ne- 

 glected sources of infection which the veterina- 

 rian should recognize. 



Our casting apparatus constitutes a highly 

 dangerous bearer of virulent infections, and the 

 body surface of the animal, with its massive coat 

 of hair, which it is perhaps shedding, affords 

 ample opportunity for the entrance of infection 

 into the wounds. We should devise better means 

 for obviating these. 



Aside from infection, the mortality from cryp- 

 torchid castration is well nigh negligible. Of 

 course, casting accidents may occur, and some 

 losses have taken place from intestinal prolapse. 

 The latter, can and should, always be obviated. 



Complications.— Among our five deaths, one 

 was due to an accident based upon an error. We 

 opened the patient on the wrong side, recognized 

 the vas deferens of the testicle which had been 

 removed, but, before we were aware, had made a 

 rent in its peritoneal fold. We reached across 

 to the opposite side, grasped the testicle and re- 



