76 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



comes necessary in these cases to resort to the use of a 

 pole, which should be pushed under the flanks and 

 serves as a lever of the second class, preventing the ani- 

 mal from assuming- the sitting posture. 



Technic. — The scrotum should be thoroughly 

 scrubbed with a 2 per cent solution of Liquor Gresolis 

 Compositus before being incised, although in the major- 

 ity of cases for ordinary practical work, this precau- 

 tionary measure is uot taken. Because of the manner 

 in which swine are usually kept, it is doubtful if this 

 semblance of preoperative cleansing is of any benefit 

 when castrated animals are returned to their unsanitary 

 and filthy pens as soon as the operation is completed. 



A good, free incision is made through the skin and 

 dartos parallel to the median raphe, taking care to 

 open the scrotum sufficiently low to insure perfect 

 drainage of the wound. This clear drainage is most 

 important for the prevention of post-operative disturb- 

 ances such as infection resulting in scirrhus cord, of 

 which we shall make mention later. 



The uncovered opci'cdion is employed in the normal 

 animal and the testicle exposed by means of one bold 

 incision. The attachment of the crem aster muscle is 

 severed, allowing the ready withdrawal of the sper- 

 matic coixl, and in very young animals the operation 

 is completed by exerting forcible traction on the coi'd, 

 causing its division by a sudden jerk which at the 

 same time produces hemostasis. In old boars ablation 

 of the testicle is done by means of the emasculator, or 

 unlimited torsion may be employed and the cord 

 divided by scraping with the knife. 



After-Care. — No especial after-care is required ex- 

 cept that the castrated animals should be placed in 

 clean quarters, or preferably kept at grass. Access 



