246 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



left hand is then passed very gently around the exposed 

 cord as high up as possible and the jaws of the emasculator 

 adjusted between it and the testicle. After taking especial 

 pains to note that the point of the emasculator is not en- 

 gaging any of the integuments, the handles are taken in 

 one or both hands and given a quick, deliberate squeeze 

 that will safely effect a perfect division without delay. If 

 the emasculator fails to divide the cord in this one squeeze, 

 or if the pinching is protracted, any kind of rebellious act 

 from the subject may be expected. Leaning over into a 

 position that prevents further handling of the instrument, 

 falling down, kicking with one or both legs, or lunging 

 desperately forward are among the unfortunate manceu- 

 vers to be expected when there is any delay. On this ac- 

 count it is of capital importance to avoid hooking the skin 

 or any part of the tunica vaginalis with the emasculator. 



The ecraseur, on account of its slowness, is, therefore, 

 seldom as satisfactory, and the clamps, although successfully 

 employed for years by Jay, are objectionable for the same 

 reason in standing castrations. 



Sixth Step. — Repetition of the Same Steps on the Oppo- 

 site Side. — In removing the opposite testicle the operator 

 continues to occupy the near side of the horse ; to take ad- 

 vantage of a much safer position and because a right- 

 handed man would be at a disadvantage on the off side. 

 The removal of the farthest testicle is much the safest as 

 well as the easiest. There is no danger from kicks and the 

 hand is in a much better position to grasp the testicle. 

 Further, there' is no difference to 'relate. 



SPECIAL HINTS— i. Select the subjects with due 

 regard to age and tractability. 2. Make a special exam- 

 ination of the region for abnormalities, hernia, adhesions, 

 etc. 3. Disinfect the scrotum, hands and instruments in 

 exceptionally strong antiseptics. 4. Make a bold, deliber- 

 ate incision and instruct holder of the twitch to give it a 

 good turn as the knife strikes. 5. Adjust the emasculator 

 carefully and use enough pressure to cut off the cord 

 promptly. 6. Operate upon the near-side testicle first, be- 

 cause the second incision may provoke a kick; it is prefer- 

 able that the kick should occur on the opposite side 



TECHNIQUE OF RECUMBENT CASTRATION.- 

 First Step.— Disinfection of the Field.— The cleansing of the 

 field of operation should be limited to the outlines of the 

 scrotum itself, but here it should be done in no perfunctory 

 manner. The ruga: of the scrotal skin should be stretched 



