310 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



of convalescence. When ligatures are applied to the stump 

 of the cord, it is essential that they should have been ster- 

 ilized, as this focus is generally the hot-bed of this grave 

 sequel. As the stump below the ligature must slough off, 

 it is important to prevent putrefaction therein, first by ap- 

 plying an aseptic ligature and then by good antiseptic treat- 

 ment until the cavity rids itself of this harmful element. 



The treatment after the disease has developed consists 

 of providing a free drainage of the purulent cavity, and of ' 

 submitting it to frequent irrigations of hydrogen peroxide 

 and mercuric chloride solution. Care is taken to reach 

 every recess of the cavity with the former, after which the 

 froth resulting therefrom is washed out by a good and pro- 

 longed irrigation with the latter. To still further combat the 

 infectious process the cavity may then be wiped throughout 

 with pure tincture of iodine, or, better still, with a solution 

 consisting of iodine crystals one part and ether sixteen 

 parts. This leaves a coating of iodine over the entire area 

 that acts as a permanent antiseptic to the tissues between 

 the intervals of treatment. 



Internally quinine is par excellence the best medicament. 

 It should be given in large doses frequently repeated. 



CEdema of the Sheath and Paraphimosis. — After abla- 

 tion of scirrhous cords the sheath always becomes more or 

 less cedematous ; sometimes it is enormous and in rare cases 

 the condition is permanent. Paraphimosis may result, de- 

 pending upon the amount of swelling developed in the prepuce 

 and the sheath. (For treatment and prevention see Castra- 

 tion, page 252). 



Recurrence of the Growth. — In spite of the fact that it 

 is very frequently impossible to remove all of the growth 

 because it ascends into the internal abdominal ring, and the 

 ablation must be made through a large sclerotic peduncle, 

 it is rare that the stump becomes the focus for a recurrent 

 formation. On the contrary, the stump shrinks up and the 

 cavity cicatrizes around it in perfect harmony. Our experi- 

 ence is like Moller's, who refers to 100 cases, all of which 

 were permanently cured. There are, however, rare cases, 

 clearly of botriomycotic origin, which encroach upon the 

 peritoneum and abdominal organs, wherein there is no arrest 

 of the onward trend after mere ablation of the external part 

 of the neoplasm. But such instances are hard_ly recur- 

 rences; they are the result of incomplete ablations due to 

 the inaccessibility of a great portion of the diseased parts. 

 , In short recurrence of scirrhous cords is rare ; the operation, 

 in so far as this sequel is concerned, is generally successful. 



