624 
TAIT BUTLER. 
if this be done by the operator, he must be especially careful 
to thoroughly wash and disinfect his hands before proceeding 
with the operation. 
The first step is to cast and secure the animal in such a 
position as to facilitate the various movements necessary to 
complete the operation. Without describing the various 
methods of casting and securing animals for this operation, 
we may simply call your attention to the importance of tying 
them in such a manner as will flex well the stifle and hock, 
and bring the fetlock as close to the former as possible, there¬ 
by spreading the thighs and leaving the inguinal regions free 
from the pressure naturally exerted upon them. This may 
be done without the “spreader” which, if not harmful, is cer¬ 
tainly useless. 
After having secured the animal in the proper manner, 
washed the parts thoroughly in a sublimate solution, and de¬ 
termined the side on which the ectopias of the testicle exists, 
the operator may proceed to place his patient in that position 
necessary for the operation. The most convenient position is, 
perhaps, on the opposite side to the one on which the ecto¬ 
pias exists. Then, if an assistant by grasping the hock of the 
upper leg pulls the animal partially, but not completely on 
his back, and holds him there, the best possible position has 
been secured. 
The first step in the operation proper is to make an inci¬ 
sion in the skin and dartos. By many writers even this sim¬ 
ple act is made to appear difficult, and to require not only a 
special instrument, but also great dexterity on the part of the 
operator in order to avoid wounding the large divisions of 
the external pudic veins. All this is rank nonsense, as no 
special care need be taken, and certainly no other instrument 
than an ordinary scalpel is required. The external pudic 
veins run immediately under the skin and close to the median 
line, while the proper place for the incision is at least two and 
a half or three inches from this line, where no danger nor dif¬ 
ficulty can be encountered. 
The exact place for the incision may be obtained by draw¬ 
ing a line from a point immediately over the internal inguinal 
