248 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



testicle and cord that will not be removed. It is unneces- 

 sary to touch the cord above the point of ablation, and to do 

 so with the hands that only a few moments previously were 

 engaged in handling dirty ropes and the still dirtier patient, 

 invites avoidable trouble from septic infection. The tes- 

 ticle is pulled up with the hand without touching anything 

 else, while the chain of the ecraseur or jaws of the emascu- 

 lator is passed around the cord. The cutting off process 

 should be done as promptly as possible ; there is nothing 

 gained by crushing the cord slowly, and promptness short- 

 ens the pain to a trivial pang. The division of the cord as 

 high up in the inguinal canal .as possible is advisable be- 

 cause a long, hanging cord not only invites ordinary pyo- 

 genesis, but also creates a favorable condition for funicu- 

 litis and scirrhous cord. 



Fifth Step.— Repetition of the Same Steps on the Up- 

 permost Testicle. — The uppermost testicle is removed last 

 because if the reverse order were followed blood would 

 flow over the scrotum to the annoyance of the operator. 



Sixth Step. — Ridding the Scrotum of Blood. — While the 

 uppermost testicle is being removed the scrotum of the un- 

 dermost one may fill with blood, generally from vessels of 

 the tunica vaginalis, and as this accumulation is a favorable 

 soil for microbes, its removal is of capital importance. The 

 blood thus gathered in the scrotum is squeezed out by 

 pressing the hands along the inguinal canals just before the 

 patient is rolled to the lateral position preparatory to re- 

 leasing the ropes. Once in the standing position the blood, 

 will flow outward. 



AFTER-CARE. — The care of a castrated horse con- 

 sists of nothing more than daily exercise, either at the 

 halter, in harness or at pasture. The latter in nice weather, 

 and especially if there are other horses to encourage the 

 patient to move about, is preferable to the other. In cities 

 and in all instances where the patient shows a stubborn in- 

 clination to stand around instead of moving about, halter 

 exercise or hitching must be insisted upon. Exercise pre- 

 vents oedema of the sheath, causes the serous secretions 

 to drain from the scrotum, prevents stiffness, and encourages 

 good health. Washing of the scrotum, opening the inci- 

 sions with the fingers, and irrigation of the canal by at- 

 tendants in charge of the patient are always more harmful 

 than beneficial. It is only when there are unmistakable 

 signs of sepsis that such treatments are advisable, and then 

 they should, if possible, be given by the experienced nurse 



