84 ANniAL CASTRATION 



Stcrilizdtion of Field of Opcraiion — .Same as for castration of the 

 stallion. (See page 21.) 



Tcch)tic of Operation — With .Miles' hooked castrating knife two curved 

 or elliptical incisions are made ( C, Fig. (il) to the right and left of the 

 most prominent part of the hydrocele (B). This means that the old cicatrix 

 is in the center of the island of skin to be removed. These incisions should 

 be made from four to five inches long — depoiding iipon the size of the 

 hydrocele. They should extend through the skin and subcutaneous con- 

 nective tissue only. With the vulsellum forceps grasp the island of skin 

 which is to be removed with the hydrocele. Have the assistant make 

 upward traction while the superficial subcutaneous adhesions are being 

 carefully l)roken down by sharp dissection. These adhesions never extend 

 deep and are readily broken down. If necessary ligate the spurting blood- 

 vessels as the operation proceeds. As soon as the scrotal adhesions are 

 removed from around the tunica vaginalis the operator takes charge of the 

 vulsellum forceps with his left hand and with the fingers of the right tears 

 the tunica vaginalis loose from its delicate fascia attachments until a point 

 is reached on the spermatic cord well above where it was formerly 

 severecL The chain of the eeraseur is now applied to the tunica ("sac") 

 and the tunica and the stump of the spermatic cord is severed. It is rarely 

 necessary to pack the scrotum to control hemorrhage. 



After-Care and Treatment — About all that is necessary is daily observa- 

 tion in order to see that everything proceeds well. If sequela^ arise they 

 must be treated as outlined under their respective headings. 



