44 SPRING-TIME SURGERY 



the character of the scrotal scar means nothing. 

 As the operation proceeds the operator further 

 satisfies himself as to his diagnosis as will be 

 mentioned hereafter. 



A determination of the side having been made, 

 the patient is placed in a position half way be- 

 tween a lateral and dorsal decubitus, with the 

 operative field uppermost. This is usually best 

 accomplished by placing the horse in a lateral po- 

 sition and then by means of a rope noose on the 

 upper hock have an assistant apply a little trac- 

 tion as if to roll the patient over on its back. 

 This not only places the patient in a good position 

 but abducts the upper limb and improves the con- 

 dition of the operative field and thus facilitates 

 the operation. 



Cleansing the Field of Operation.— The next 

 question for the operator to concern himself with 

 is that of the aseptic preparation of the opera- 

 tive field. An appreciative mind will understand 

 that all the dangers of this, as well as any other 

 surgical operation, are increased by prolonging 

 the period of the operation. Consequently the 

 period from the time the casting harness is put 



