50 ANI]\rAL CASTRATION 



requires immediate treatment. Because of the fact that 

 retraction of the cord takes place to a marked degree 

 within the vaginal sheath containing it, it is not easy 

 to ligature the cord after it has been closely amputa- 

 ted. Having at hand two pairs of hemostatic forceps, 

 the operator may seize the end of the cord with one 

 forcep, drawing out the tissues as far as possible, and 

 then bj^ seizing the cord again with the other forcep, 

 the bleeding stump is brought to view. After securely 

 clamping the forceps over this stump, a ligature may 

 be applied; a good stout jieodle with silk thread is 

 passed through the cord above the forcep and the liga- 

 ture is fastened tightly after having been wrapped 

 around the stump. No further treatment is neeessary 

 although it is best to remove the ligature in about ten 

 days. 



Tn some cases, beeause of the cramped position of 

 the animal cas! rated while recumbent, there occurs 

 some little venous hemorrhage; this, as a rule, how- 

 ever, subsides as soon as the animal regains its feet. 

 Should this condition persist to a great degree, the 

 scrotum may be packed with sterile gauze or muslin 

 and the packing confined in situ by means of scrotal 

 sutures, to be removed in twenty-four hours. As a 

 rule primary hemorrhage from castration properly 

 performed, is of no consequence, and spontaneous ces- 

 sation of the hemorrhage is the rule, within the course 

 of a few minutes, therefore these cases should not 

 alarm the operator. 



Secondary hemorrhage from this operation is a con- 

 dition which is probably due to a state wherein the 

 blood does not normally coagulate, — a condition found, 

 perhaps more often in the spring of the year in ani- 

 mals that are not thrifty. Such hemorrhage is not 



