254 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



The clam is an instrument used for compressing the cord. It 

 is composed of two pieces of flat steel or wood, which have ser- 

 rated edges and are united by a joint. Up-to-date operators do 

 not favor the use of the clam, because there is greater danger that 

 pus-producing organisms will be retained. 



In order to insure success in castrating animals there must be 

 provided : 



(1) Cleanliness to reduce the chances of infection. This 

 includes a careful washing and disinfection of the field of opera- 

 tion, of the hands, and of the instruments. 



(2) Good drainage to prevent pus accumulations in the wound. 

 To insure this, a large, free opening should be made in the skin 

 and other coverings of the testicle. 



(3) Exercise to work the pus out of the wound and keep 

 the swelling down. It is best given by an hour's walk at the 

 halter for the first few days after the operation, then brisk trots. 

 Animals turned out to pasture immediately following the opera- 

 tion recover quicker than those confined to the stable, where 

 opportunity to infect the castration wound is greater and daily 

 exercise is limited. 



Castration of animals exposed to or infected with disease had 

 best be postponed. The operation should not be performed at 

 the time other surgical operations are executed. 



Scirrhus cord results if the spermatic cord is left too long at the 

 time of castration. This is a condition in which infection occurs 

 and the stump of the cord becomes inflamed, hardened, and dis- 

 charges pus more or less continuously. It is generally very 

 troublesome, for adhesions take place and interfere with the 

 normal movement of the limbs. The only permanent relief is 

 complete removal of the diseased tissues. 



Ridglings are male animals in which one or both of the testicles 

 fail to descend into the scrotum, hence they are termed cryptor- 

 chids. They exhibit all the traits of entire males but are not 

 satisfactory sires. For these reasons they should be castrated. 

 The operation is more dangerous than ordinary castration, as it 

 usually requires an artificial opening into the abdominal cavity. 

 This exposes the peritoneum to infection and may result in 

 peritonitis. If this disease does develop, death is likely to fol- 

 low at once. Every precaution must, therefore, be taken to 

 maintain surgical cleanliness when operating upon a ridgling. 



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