J 16 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



vesi'ai'd for the importaiici^ of asepsis, who by negiecting 

 to attend to the thorough cleansmg of the hands, bring 

 to their work tlie unnecessary danger of contamination 

 From previous dressing of suppurating wounds. Local 

 infections are sometimes met with and are treated by 

 providing drainage, removing surface sutures and swab- 

 l)ing the depths of the wound with tincture o£ iodin, 

 l)ut where infection ])ecomes generalized to the extent 

 of septic peritonitis, there is little chance for recovery 

 in spite of any resource of science. A carefully exe- 

 cuted teehnie witli due regard to asepsis is the most 

 important prophylactic measure to be considered by the 

 veterinarian for this operation. 



Hernia. — Hernia may l)e omental or intestinal. In 

 some eases, a portion of the omentum is included within 

 the margin of the wound and a sufficient particle pro- 

 trudes causing a slight blemish, and in some few 

 instances causes tension jiroducing pain, which the 

 animal manifestly indicates at different times by its 

 actions. This is evidenced by arching the back and a 

 reluctance to any abrupt or decided movement of the 

 body. A careful examination of the patient with its 

 abdominal muscles completely relaxed should be made, 

 if possible, and constT'iction of the omentum may be 

 readily recognized by digital manipulation. 



Intestinal hernia may be occasioned by an accidental 

 rent in the peritoneum made in such manner that it is 

 then difficult to approximate margins, — this condition 

 resulting from a lack of care on the part of the surgeon 

 to closely observe the emergency at the time and make 

 provision for perfect coaptation of the divided struc- 

 tures. 



Whei'e hernia exists, either omental or intestinal, 

 animals should be prepared, confined and anesthetized 



