14 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



siderablc time, as in some crypl orchids, and in cases 

 whei'c jieiieral anesthesia is to he employed, animals 

 should always I)e dieted hetore operating. Preopera- 

 tive preparation of the surgical field varies with the 

 case and the manner in which the technique is exe- 

 cuted. Where a normal animal is castrated under aver- 

 age conditions, local preparation consists in washing 

 with suitable solutions and rendering the field clean. 

 In other cases, such as cryptorehid castration, a thor- 

 ough cleansing of the surgical area with soap and 

 water, drying the parts, and finally painting the skin 

 with tincture of iodin, is a necessary precautionary 

 measure. In the castration of swine and calves, if 

 1he parts are not soiled, no preoperative local cleansing 

 is imperative. 



