272 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



less complicated than the former. These cysts occasionally 

 are dermoid, containing in addition to the serous fluid such 

 unnatural objects as hairs, teeth, horn, etc. 



The second variation in the technique is necessitated by 

 the enormous volume of the testicle, which in some instances 

 may be found as large as a child's head, or even larger. 

 Removal under this circumstance is effected by enlarging 

 the perforation. 



AFTER-CARE.— The castrated ridgling should be kept 

 tied up for twenty-four hours in a clean stall, and then given 

 a limited amount of walking exercise daily. Turning out 

 in the paddock or pasture is seldom sufficient on account of 

 the invariable inclination to stand about instead of "volun- 

 tarily taking the required exercise. The practice of trotting 

 the patient is extremely harmful, and while the exercise 

 should be forced, it must never be violent. Standing about 

 in a stall, paddock or pasture on account of the soreness in 

 the groin, or enforced standing in a single stall, in theory, 

 should be desirable after an abdominal operation, but ex- 

 perience indicates that it is quite as harmful as violent ex- 

 ercise. It is possible that the state of absolute repose favors 

 chills as well as the localization of septic foci along the sur- 

 gical channel, which are dispatched by the drainage pro- 

 voked by movements of the parts. Whatever may be the 

 scientific explanation of the benefits of exercise, experience 

 soon teaches that it operates to the well-being of the patient, 

 and hence should be insisted upon. 



There should be no molestation of the wound as long as 

 the patient is not attacked with fever, no matter how pro- 

 nounced the stiffness of the hind extremities becomes, but 

 when fever supervenes drainage and irrigation of the canal 

 are essential. 



SEQUELS and ACCIDENTS.-(i) Septic peritonitis, 

 induced always by septic hands or septic emasculator, is the 

 most serious result of the operation, and although it may 

 sometimes be unavoidable on account of the impossibility 

 of thoroughly disinfecting the hands, if the above instruc- 

 tions in that connection are respected absolutely, it is in- 

 deed remarkable how badly the operation can be done with- 

 out infecting the abdominal organs, or surgical tract. On the 

 other hand, if no adequate and intelligent precautions are 

 taken the very neatest operation may turn out badly from 

 this cause. (See Castration, page 244. (2) Prolapse of the 

 intestines, is a very common complication of ridgling cas- 

 tration, especially when the perforation has been accidentally 



