Animal Castration 59 



ceps (see Fig. 55) ; (2) haemostatic forceps; (3) extra ecraseur; 

 (4) needles containing ligatures and sutures; (5) trocar and 

 canula (ordinary horse size). 



Anatomy— Same as for stallion castration. (See pages 19-21.) 



Warning— Before beginning to operate, diagnose the case if 

 possible. Examine inguinal and scrotal regions for hernia (rup- 

 ture), abnormalities in development, diseases of the scrotum, etc. 

 Look out for constitutional diseases which would have a tendency 

 to endanger the life of animal or interfere with convalescense. 

 These diseases are strangles, influenza, pneumonia, pleurisy, bron- 

 chitis, catarrhal fever, purpura hemorrhagica, etc. 



Don't thrust your whole hand through the abdominal wall, be- 

 cause your index and second finger will do enough damage to 

 the wall and besides they are ample inside the abdomen. 



Don't explore the whole abdominal cavity in an effort to locate 

 the testicle. You wouldn't recognize it if you found it. Better 

 feel for the spermatic cord — something you can recognize if you 

 feel it — which is within two inches of the abdominal incision, pro- 

 vided you puncture the abdominal wall at the right place. Let 

 the testicle take care of itself until later. 



Take your time and do the operation well at all hazards. 



Be careful in casting and tying and above all else don't get 

 excited. Remember that it is not you that is being operated upon. 

 It is the horse, and he does not even belong to you. If 3 T ou should 

 happen to make a failure, remember that you are not the only 

 one whom such a misfortune has befallen. 



Sterilization of Instruments — Same as for castration of the stal- 

 lion. (See page 24.) 



Cleansing and Disinfecting the Field of Operation — Of all the 

 operations in the domain of veterinary surgery where cleanliness 

 stands out prominently as being pre-eminentty important it is in 

 "Ridgling" castration. With tincture of green soap, warm water 

 and scrub brush thoroughly wash — by diligent scrubbing — the in- 

 guinal and scrotal regions, also inner aspect of the thighs. After 

 washing, sponge parts with absolute alcohol. Then paint scrotum 

 with tincture iodine and allow it time to dry before making in- 

 cisions. 



