CASTRATION OF SWINE 81 



the subjects are treated while young, the ordinary 

 covered operation for castration is indicated. 



The scrotal region is thoroughly scnibbed with soap 

 and water if much soiled. If the animals have been 

 kept in clean quarters, it is only necessary to scrub off 

 the parts with a little gasoline or alcohol and then 

 paint with tincture of iodin. An incision parallel with 

 the median raphe is made through the skin and dartos, 

 and carried very low to favor drainage and also to 

 permit the application of a ligature closer to the 

 inner abdominal ring than would be possible were 

 the incision made at the usual site. 



After having exposed the vaginal tunic by a careful 

 dissection, the areolar tissue is broken down, severing 

 the attachment between the tunica vaginalis reflexa and 

 adjacent structure. This dissection must be carefully 

 done to avoid injuring the vaginal tunic, which is 

 generally very delicate. It is not desirable to rupture 

 this structure until it has lieen severed free from ad- 

 joining tissues to a point along the inguinal canal 

 under the pubis. Dissection having been completed, 

 the testicle is seized while confined within the vaginal 

 tunic, and a heavy pair of compression forceps are 

 clamped over the cord and its enveloping tissue, as 

 high up as possible, taking care that no portion of 

 intestine is confined within the grasp of the forcep. 

 This having been done, a needle armed with a stout 

 piece of sterile silk is passed through the cord and car- 

 ried entirely around the cord and its coverings, and 

 securely tied. Amputation of the cord at a point 

 about an inch from the ligature is then effected and 

 the scrotal wound is closed Avith a continuous suture of 

 heavy silk, leaving a small opening at the lowermost 



