CASTRATION AND SPAYING 247 



out and submitted to a good washing of soap and water 

 and then rubbed well with a strong solution of mercuric 

 chloride no weaker than 1-500. In view of the' small field 

 thus disinfected, even a stronger solution may be employed 

 to advantage. It is not advisable to attempt to cleanse the 

 whole inguinal region, because of the impossibility of clean- 

 ing and disinfecting it well in a short time, and if only 

 washed, the supposed cleansing process is more apt to "dig 

 up" and distribute infection than to destroy it. The in- 

 ternal surface of the sheath, which is always filthy, should 

 likewise not be disturbed by a washing process that would 

 distribute rather than adequately destroy filth. It is much 

 better to limit the cleansing to the skin of the scrotum it- 

 self and then simply sponge or sprinkle the legs, thighs and 

 buttocks with a little water to prevent loosened hairs from 

 flying into the wound when the animal struggles. 



Second Step.— -Oscheotomy.— The undermost testicle is 

 gathered up with the left hand so that the skin is stretched 

 tightly over it, and then the incision made four inches long 

 through all of the scrotal integuments. The cutting should 

 be done quickly, and yet deliberately enough to assure a 

 uniform depth along the whole length of the incision. It 

 is not sufficient that the skin should be incised four inches 

 and the tunica vaginalis only two inches. The incision 

 must be a through-and-through one, four inches long and 

 parallel to the raphe. When the testicle is too high up on 

 the inguinal canal to be pulled down into the scrotum, the 

 incision of the skin is made by simply stretching it between 

 the thumb and finger, the inguinal canal is opened by forc- 

 ing two fingers upward beneath the skin until the testicle 

 can be grasped and pulled down by them, and then the 

 tunica vaginalis is incised to expose it for final ablation. 

 Such testicles are usually called "high flankers." (See 

 castration of cryptorchids, page 259). 



The length of the incision is important in castration. 

 If the operation were strictly aseptic and exposed struc- 

 tures, (cord, inguinal canal, scrotum, etc.,) were not sub- 

 sequently infected, the smallest possible incision would be 

 preferable ; but when there is some doubt as to the asepsis 

 of. the procedure, and a still greater certainty that the ex- 

 posed parts will suppurate before the healing process is 

 complete, the long incision, by facilitating drainage, is ad- 

 visable. 



Third Step. — Ablation. — In ablating the testicle especial 

 pains is taken not to touch the hands to any part of the 



