CASTRATION AND SPAYING" 2$S 



ing fibrous tissue constitutes the entire tumefaction ; and 

 and sometimes the size of the cavity is so large as com- 

 pared with the amount of fibrous tissue surrounding it that 

 the condition is more like a cyst then a body., 



The cause of scirrhous cord may always be safely at- 

 tributed- to badly executed castrations. The cords were 

 left too long, protuding into the scrotal incision where they 

 were exposed to infection, the instruments were dirty, or 

 the hands needlessly deposited infectious matter upon the 

 cords. The prevention is found in clean methods of per- 

 formance and sensible after-care. The use of clamps to ar- 

 rest the hemorrhage yielded many scirrhous cords that are 

 now prevented by the ecraseur and the. emasculator, but 

 the use of these instruments is universally preventive only 

 when aseptic technique is respected as well. 



In _ size scirrhous cords vary greatly. They may be no 

 larger, than the thumb or they may reach the enormous 

 weight of fifteen pounds. They may be confined to the end 

 of the cord or may extend upward_ along it to the internal 

 abdominal ring and even into the abdominal cavity. A 

 tumefaction about the size of a cocoanut attached to a ped- 

 uncle about the size of the wrist gradually diminishing in 

 diameter towards the internal abdominal ring, is, however, 

 the average volume. The diseased tissue is always firmly 

 fused with the surrounding tissues, from which it can be 

 separated only with the greatest difficulty. 



The subject affected with scirrhous cord is always un- 

 thrifty from the constant drain and discomfort and some- 

 times suffers from attacks of pyrexia while the abscesses 

 are forming. Colics, peritonitis, chronic septicaemia, ema- 

 ciation, eventually terminate life when operative interven- 

 tion is postponed too long. 



The treatment of scirrhous cord once well established is 

 total ablation, (see page 305) but in the recent case this 

 radical intervention should be postponed in expectation of 

 spontaneous disappearance of the tumefaction. Six weeks to 

 three months should always elapse between the castration 

 and the passing of final judgment as to the permanency of 

 enlarged cords. In the interval potassium iodide may be 

 given to advantage. The author's experience with this 

 drug in old as well as in. recent cases leaves no doubt that 

 it exerts some "arresting influence" upon the progress of 

 the growth, similar to that observed in actinomycosis, spon- 

 taneity considered. 



Sloughing with caustics, especially by packing copper 



