CO JI PLICATIONS IN CASTRATION 55 



Don't explore the whole abdominal cavity in an effort to locate the 

 testicle. You wouldn't recognize it if you found it. Better feel for the 

 spermatic cord — something you can recognize if you feel it — which is 

 witliin two inches of the abdominal incision, provided you puncture the 

 abdominal wall at the right place. Let the testicle take care of itself until 

 later. 



Take your time and do the operation well at all hazards. 

 Be careful in casting and tying, and above all else don't get excited. 

 Remember that it is not you, or even your horse, that is being operated 



Pig. 43 — Scrotal incisions. 



upon. If you should happen to make a failure, remember that you are 

 not the only one to whom such a misfortune has befallen. 



Sterilization of Instruments — Same as for castration of the stallion. 

 (See pages 20, 21.) 



Cleansing and Disinfecting the Field of Operation — Of all the opera- 

 tions in the domain of veterinary surgery where cleanliness stands out 

 prominently as being pre-eminentlj' important it is in ridgling castration. 

 With tincture of green soap, warm water and a scrub brush thoroughly 

 scrub the inguinal and scrotal regions, also the inner aspect of the thighs. 

 After washing, sponge the parts with absolute alcohol. Then paint the 



