SEQUELAE OP TASTRATION 69 



States, and from information at liand I am inclined to believe tliat tliis 

 sequela is not rare in other sections of the United States. 



Cause~We know that tetanus is caused by the tetanus bacillus gaining 

 access to the wound. This may take place either at the time of ojieration 

 or later. Whenever a case of tetanus develops after castration the owner 

 invariably censures the operator. However, experience has led me to 

 conclude that the operator is blameless in tlie great majority of instances. 

 At least ninety per cent of animals that develop tetanus after castration, 

 acquire the infection from lying- down in manure and dirt, thus contami- 

 nating the wound. In every castration operation there is a possibility of 

 post-operative infection. 



Period of Incubation— The period of incubation varies fri m eight to 

 thirty days. 



Symptoms — Stiffness and contraction of all tlie vohnitary muscles, more 

 especially those of the tail and jaws. As a result of this muscular stiffnes-, 

 the tail and head are protruded, the jaws stiff — partial or complete — 

 straddling and awkward gait. AVlien the head is raised the nictitating 

 membrane (haw) protrudes over the eyeball. (Pig. 52.) 



Treatment — Is both prophylactic and curative. Prophylactic treatment 

 consists in the administration of SOU to 750 units of tetanus antitoxin im- 

 viediately after each castration operation. 



Curative treatment consists in casting the animal, openiiig up the scrotal 

 wound and swabbing it out thoroughly with tincture of iodin, after which 

 place him in a quiet box stall away from other live stock and noise and ad- 

 minister one-twentieth to one-tenth grain of lobelin sulphate once daily or 

 often enough to quiet the animal and control the spasms, or one may give 

 thirty grains powdered extract Cannabis ludica three times a day. If 

 treatment with tetanus antitoxin is undertaken, 5,000 to 10,(100 units intra- 

 venously every two days is indicated. The diet should consist of sloppy 

 foods. 



Mortality — The mortality varies from thirty to seventj^-five per cent. 



PROLAPSE OP THE OMENTUM 



While prolapse of the omentum is a rare sequela of castration, neverthe- 

 less, it does sometimes occur, and when it does, prompt and heroic measures 

 are imperative if the life of the animal is to be saved. I^sually when the 

 omentum protrudes from the scrotal incision it is simply a forerunner of 

 what is to happen later, viz : protrusion of the intestine and death of the 

 animal unless intelligently directed relief measures are promptlj^ insti- 

 tuted. 



Operative Technic — Cast and secure the patient in the dorsal position, 

 after which cleanse the parts and the hands of the operator by careful and 

 thorough washing with antiseptic solution. Sever tlic protruding portion of 



