OPERATIVE SURGERY. 293 



"Cbc Covered Operation for Scrotal Bemia. 



Where the small intestines descend the inguinal canal and 

 occiipy the scrotal sac in company with the testicles, the condi- 

 tion is termed scrotal hernia. It is necessary when per- 

 forming castration on subjects with this condition to use a 

 special method to prevent prolapse of the' intestines, which 

 would inevitably take place if the scrotum was opened in the 

 manner used where the parts present normally. Where scrotal 

 hernia exists the subject must be laid on its back and the intes- 

 tines returned to the abdominal cavity. An incision is then 

 carefully made in the sac exposing the testicle covered by the 

 tunica vaginalis (investing membrane), wooden clams are then 

 applied to the cord. These are two short, flat-sided pieces of 

 wood which are placed one on each side of the cord above the 

 testicle and firmly tied together by pieces i)f string at each end of 

 the clams. These are then left on until the compression by ar- 

 resting the circulation of the parts causes them to slough and 

 finally drop off, the parts above the clams becoming adherent, 

 preventing egress of the intestines. In fact the inflammation 

 which this process as a rule sets up is generally so extensive as 

 to obliterate the inguinal canal, effectually preventing a future 

 descent of the intestines. 



Oochtng. 



This very simple operation is generally performed on lambs 

 at an early age as a rule, and properly so at the time of castra- 

 tion. A sheep's tail is, to say the best of it, a useless appendage. 

 It cannot be used to brush off flies or anything else, and while 

 most likely it had its use in prehistoric sheep, domestication by 

 relieving it of whatever use it may have been put to, failed to 

 prevent its appearance, atavism being stronger than years of 

 domestication. Should the tail be left intact it collects mud 

 and dung, giving the animal an uncleanly appearance. The 



