406 
M. JACOULET. 
VI.— Th ie care or nursing of the patient and contingent acci¬ 
dents involved in the Castration of Ridlings. 
In the case of inguinal cryptorchidy, the accidents and neces¬ 
sary attentions are similar to those which are attendant on ordi¬ 
nary cases of castration; but in the abdominal variety they are 
not the same. 
On the completion of the operation, the animal is placed in a 
stall, with his bedding so arranged as to elevate the hind quarter, 
and remains thus secured for from twelve to twenty-four hours, 
in order to prevent his rolling in case of violent colics. 
The application of a large mustard poultice is advised and 
recommended by many. We believe it is quite as well [and bet¬ 
ter —Ed.] to dispense with this. The animal is to be well cov¬ 
ered and placed in the most favorable atmospheric and hygienic 
conditions, and should be left quiet and subjected to severe die¬ 
tetic regime, including a little hay, good straw and mashes. J\lr. 
Degive gives one ounce of arnica daily. We have abandoned 
this practice, and recommend, instead, mucilaginous rectal injec¬ 
tions, with a little nitrate of potash in the mashes. 
The operation is followed by high fever, of several days’ con¬ 
tinuance, but which need not excite any alarm; it will generally 
subside after three or four days. The oedema of the sheath then 
becomes diminished, the hind quarter becomes less stiff, and sup¬ 
puration is established ; phenic acid washing is all that is now 
indicated. Towards the fifth, sixth or eighth day the food may 
be increased, and walking exercise may be ordered towards the 
twentieth. Complete recovery takes place in from thirty to 
forty days. 
Accidents. —The contingent accidents chiefly to be appre¬ 
hended are tw T o : hernia and peritonitis. 
1st. Hernia. —Generally the rupture immediately follows the 
operation, when the animal is allowed to get up, though it may 
also take place, after a violent effort, a few hours subsequent to 
the operation. 
This is always due to the fact that the perforation of the 
inguinal intestine has been made too low, near the median line, 
or because the hand has been pushed through the fibres of the 
