DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
761 
administration of a cathartic ; he should receive no food during 
the last 24 hours, and no water during the last 12 hours prior 
to the operation. 
Restraints .—To carefully cast and properly secure the pa¬ 
tient it is necessary to have good assistants. The operator 
should have a good practical casting apparatus, and a good 
twitch, and see that the animal has a good halter. A good, 
clean and suitable place must be prepared under the direction 
of the operator. The success of the operation will depend 
much upon the restraint applied after the patient is cast. The 
hind legs should be flexed upon the hock and spread as much 
as possible, and when convenient the posterior part of the body 
should be elevated, which will reduce the pressure of the vis¬ 
cera in the pelvic cavity. 
Operation .—Each step should be made with every aseptic 
precaution possible; the instruments should be sterilized and 
kept in a receptacle, immersed in an antiseptic solution (strong); 
a, External inguinal ring; b, incision. 
the operator’s hands should be thoroughly cleaned, and before 
inserting them into the canal they should be washed or covered 
with some aseptic lubricant. 
Before beginning the operation the animal should be given 
a general anaesthetic ; if this cannot be done, a large dose of 
chloral hydrate should be administered at least one-half hour 
before the operation ; and, when these preliminary steps have 
