54 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
cure for hydrocele, but a temporary relief. The conditions in 
hydrocele are not always the same; some cases contain 
fluid between the parietal and visceral portion of the tunic, 
while others contain fluid between the visceral portion of 
the tunic and other structures of the cord {a condition com¬ 
mon in cryptorchids). The condition is found in the 
horse, bull, ram. boar, and dog, and may be complicated 
with varicocele or hematocele, which makes it difficult 
to determine whether it is a hydrocele or an inguinal 
hernia. Puncturing the scrotum is useful to determine the 
condition, to give temporary relief, and to inject irritants into 
the cavity to encourage the adhesion of parietes. Hydrocele of 
the cord is more serious than dropsy of the tunica vaginalis, 
and the best surgical interference in such cases is castration. 
6. Nephrocentesis (puncturing the kidney).—This is an 
operation that has already been mentioned in connection with 
nephrotomy and nephrectomy. The curative value of this 
operation is very limited. The indication for such an operation 
is never determined primarily, but upon determining a condi¬ 
tion requiring such interference the operator should not over¬ 
look the importance of such a procedure. 
{End of Abdominal Surgery.) 
SURGICAL ITEMS. 
Sequelce of Neurectomy. —No part of veterinary surgery 
attracts more attention than the so-called trophic distur¬ 
bances, i. e ., sloughing, moist gangrene (whatever that is), 
breaking down, etc., following the various neurectomies. So 
frequently do these results occur after unnerving certain parts 
of the extremities of horses that they have wrought a wide and 
strong prejudice against nerving among the laity, and even 
among many veterinarians. That this prejudice is not entirely 
undeserving is evident from the number of cases of break-down 
reported in the veterinary journals. In view of the fact that 
the most prominent veterinarians, who have won prominence 
and have had a wide experience, all defend neurectomy opera¬ 
tions in the highest terms, and report a very low percentage of 
bad results, we are led to the conclusion that break-downs are 
generally traceable to bad judgment or carelessness on the part 
of the surgeon. The indiscriminate application of neurectomy 
to all manner of conditions will ruin the reputation of any 
veterinarian, while the judicious resort to it as a relief for lame¬ 
ness will win the greatest applause. As above stated, the oldest 
