COJIPLICATIUNS IN CASTRATION 



61 



skin incision securely witli strong uninterrapted sutures. Packing the 

 f scrotum can do no harm, and there is a possibility, hi fact a probability, 

 ''of Its saving the life of a patient. Especially is this true should colicky 

 ' pams ensue within twelve hours after operating, in which event the rolling 

 and tumbling of the animal would have a tendency to cause bowel pro- 

 trusion. As a precautionary measure I cannot too strongly recommend 

 'packing the scrotum before the animal is allowed to rise to his feet. 

 If only one testicle is undescended remove the other as in ordinary 

 castration and the operation is complete. If tlie animal is a double cryp- 

 torchid, turn it on the other side and repeat the operation on the other 

 side without delay. Never attempt to remove both testicles from the one 

 abdominal opening, as in order to do so it is necessary to enlarge the 



Fig. 49 — Testicle of a "ridgling 



liorse. 



opening sufficiently to admit the whole hand ; such a large perforation in 

 the abdominal wall is dangerous and such a procedure bad practice. 



Intra -Inguinal Kidgling 



This is the variet.y in which the testicle (testes) is inside the abdominal 

 cavity, while a portion of the spermatic cord and sometimes the epididymis 

 is in the upper part of the inguinal canal, of course surrounded by the 

 tunica vaginalis. (Fig. 50.) This corresponds to ]\Iiles' No. 4. 



This is the class which is liable to confuse the inexperienced operator. 



Objects and indications, age, season, preparation, restraint, position, 

 instruments, anatomy, washing, sterilization of instruments, cleansing the 

 operator's hands and disinfection of the operative field are the sa:ne as 

 those employed in castrating the intra-alidominal ridgling. 



Operative Technic — The incisions are made and the scrotum and 

 inguinal canal invaded in the same manner as that employed in the 

 intra-abdominal variety. 



Location of the Testicle — The testicle is located by proceeding carefully 



