CRYPTORCHIDECTOMY 



265 



PREPARATION.— It is advisable, when possible, to 

 administer an oleaginous cathartic three days in advance of 

 the operation and follow the purge with a limited diet. Dur- 

 ing the last twelve hours no food or water should be allowed. 



EQUIPMENT. — Castrating knife, ecraseur and anti- 

 septics. 



RESTRAINT. — A special form of restraint is an in- 

 dispensable feature of the operation, the object being to 

 flex the hind legs upon the pelvis and part them as wide as 

 possible to expose the inguinal region and to prevent any 



Fig. 134— Restraint with Operating Table. (Courtesy of Prof. 

 W. L. Williams.) 



interference with the free passage of the hand down the 

 inguinal canal. 



The appropriate throwing harness is the double sideline, 

 consisting of about sixty feet of yk inch rope, with a loop in 

 the center for a collar, two hopples for the hind legs, and 

 small sash cords or straps for the fore legs. The loop is 

 placed around the neck and the two ropes passed between 

 the fore legs to each hopple and then upward to the rings in 

 the neck loop. One rope is held by an assistant behind the 

 horse and the other by a second person in front. The fore- 

 leg on the side on which the horse is intended to fall is tied 



