141 



and the clamp may be left tbus for twenty-four hours ; then, by cutting 

 the cord around one end of the clamp, the latter may be opened and the 

 stump liberated, without any danger of bleeding. Should the stump 

 hang out of the wound it should be pushed inside with the finger and 

 left there. The wound should begin to discharge white matter on the 

 second day in hot weather, or the third in cold, and from that time a 

 good recovery may be expected. 



CONDITIONS FAVORABLE TO SUCCESSFUL CASTRATION. 



The young horse suffers less from castration than the old, and very 

 rarely perishes. Good health in the subject is all important. Castra- 

 tion should never be attempted during the prevalence of strangles, in- 

 fluenza, catarrhal fever, contagious pleurisy, bronchitis, pneumonia, 

 purpura haemorrhagica, or other specific disease, nor on subjects that 

 have been kept in close, illy ventilated, filthy buildings, where the 

 system is liable to have been charged with putrid bacteria or other 

 products. AVarm weather is to be preferred to cold, but the fly time 

 should be avoided or the flies kept at a distance by the application of 

 a watery solution of tar, carbolic aciil, or camphor to the wound. 



CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHTDS (RIDGLINGS). 



This is the removal of a testicle or testicles that have failed to de- 

 scend into the scrotum, but have been detained in the inguinal canal 

 or inside the abdomen. The mauipulatiooi requires an accurate an- 

 atomical knowledge of the parts, and special skill, experience, and 

 manual dexterity, and can not be made clear to the unprofessional mind 

 in a short notice. It consists, however, in the discovery and removal 

 of the missing gland by exploring through the natural channel (the 

 inguinal canal), or, in case it is absent, through the inguinal ring or 

 through an artificial opening made in front and above that channel be- 

 tween the abdominal muscles and the strong fascia on the inner side 

 of the thigh (Poupart's ligament). Whatever method is used, the skin, 

 hands, and instruments should be rendered aseptic with a solution of 

 raurcuric chloride 1 part; water 2,000 parts (a carbolic acid lotion 

 for the instruments), and the spermatic cord is best torn through by the 

 ecraseur. In many such cases, too, it is desirable to sew up the external 

 wound and keep the animal still, to favor healing of the wound by 

 adhesion. 



PAIN AFTER CASTRATION. 



Some horses are pained and very restless for some hours after castra- 

 tion, and this may extend to cramps of the bowels and violent colic. 

 This is best kept in check by carefully rubbing the i^atient dry when he 

 rises from the operation, and then leading him in hand for some time. 

 If the i^ain still persists a dose of laudanum (1 ounce for an adult) may 

 be given. 



