66 Animal Castration 



and suture skin incision securely with uninterrupted suture. 

 Packing the scrotum cannot do any harm and there is a possi- 

 bility, in fact a probability, of this precaution saving the life of 

 a patient. Especially is this true should colicky pains ensue within 



Fig. 49 — Testicle of a "Ridglmg" Horse. 



twelve hours after operating, in which event the rolling and tumb- 

 ling of the animal would have a tendenc} r to cause bowel protru- 

 sion. As a precautionary measure I cannot too strongly recom- 

 mend packing the scrotum before the animal is allowed to rise 

 to his feet. If a monorchid, your job is completed ; if a eryptorchid, 

 turn the animal over and proceed to repeat the operation on the 

 other side without delay. Never attempt to remove both testicles 

 from the one abdominal opening, as in doing so it is necessary to 

 enlarge the opening sufficiently to admit the whole hand; such a 

 large abdominal wall perforation is dangerous and such procedure 

 would be considered bad practice. 



Intra-Inguinal"Ridgling." 



This is the variety in which the testicle (testes) is inside the 

 abdominal cavity while a portion of the spermatic cord and some- 

 times the epydidimus is in upper part of the inguinal canal, of 

 course surrounded by the tunica vaginalis. (See Fig. 50.) This 

 corresponds to Miles' No. 4. 



This is the class which is calculated to confuse the inexperienced 

 operator. 



Objects and indications, age, season, preparation, restraint, posi- 

 tion, instruments, anatomy, washing, sterilization of instruments, 

 cleansing operator's hands and disinfection of operative field are 

 all the same as are employed in castrating the intra-abdominal 

 ridgling. 



