CASTRATION OF THE HORSE 41 



cessitating delay in its execution, animals manifest 

 very little symptom of shock as a result, even where 

 no anesthesia is used. However, it is well to admin- 

 ister, per rectum, from IV2 to 21/2 ounces of chloral 

 hydrate dissolved in about two quarts of water twenty 

 minutes before casting the animal. The contents of 

 the rectum should be removed manually by a trained 

 assistant before the solution is introduced in order to 

 get prompt absorption and a good effect. 



Surgical Technic. — The field of operation is pre- 

 pared by first washing thoroughly with soap and 

 water, then drying and painting with tincture of iodiii. 

 Care should be taken that loose hairs and particles of 

 dirt or filth are not dropped on the scrotal region . 



The animal should be confined in lateral recumljeiicy 

 with the uppermost hock well abducted by an assist- 

 ant. The skin incision should be made either parallel 

 with the median raphe 01 over the external inguinal 

 ring and should be of sufficient length to comfortably 

 allow for the introduction of the hand of the operator. 

 C'are should be exercised in incising the skin since the 

 external pudic veins if wounded will cause sufficient 

 hemorrhage to obscure the field and inconvenience the 

 operator. 



After having incised the skin and dartos, the hand 

 with the fingers in the shape of a cone is inserted into 

 the inguinal canal beginning at the region of the ex- 

 ternal ring and pushijig into the tissues in the direc- 

 tion of the external angle of the ilium, keeping well 

 back against the inguinal ligament, as there is no dan- 

 ger of making this opening too far posterior. This 

 opening of the canal is continued up to the region of 

 the inner ring. Different operators observe different 

 guides in this part of the work. The throbbing of the 



