By this is understood the protrusion of some portion of the contents of the abdominal cavity through the inguinal ring, either a portion of the omentum or of some part of the small intestines, creating either an epiplocele or an enterocele. This complication may take place either during the operation, or shortly afterwards, or at the period of the removal of the clamps. It proceeds from the violent struggling of the animal during the operation; to the colics which are so apt to supervene; to his position when placed in a stall of which the floor is too much inclined; or it may result from some of the various modes of castration, as, for example, the uncovered operation.
At times the two forms of hernia may present themselves together, constituting a case of entero-epiplocele. When the epiploan alone protrudes, it need not give rise to any unnecessary anxiety, as it may easily be either reduced and returned to its place, or ligated with the clamps, or torn apart. If, on the contrary, it is a portion of the small intestines which becomes involved, the first indication is to restore it to its place by the proper taxis without delay, which may be readily done, the animal being yet down and placed under an anesthetic, by the rectal taxis combined with the necessary inguinal manipulations. When this has been accomplished the intestine is kept in place by the application of a clamp over the cord, upon which the fibrous coat of the cremaster has been carefully drawn.
PERITONITIS.
This complication, considered as one of the most frequent following castration, is also, beyond doubt, one of the most serious. It is generally the result of exposure to cold, especially when its occurrence accompanies the suppurative fever. But it also develops itself in animals which have received the best hygienic care, its appearance being attributed to an excessive dragging of the cord, or to the extension of the local inflammation by continuity of tissues. It manifests itself generally between the second and third day following the operation, except when it becomes symptomatic, as of gangrene of the cord, when we have seen it making its appearance towards the tenth day.
The symptoms of this traumatic peritonitis differ somewhat from those of the acute inflammatory type. According to Gourdon, “the animal is dull and refuses all food—the suppuration of the wound of the scrotum has ceased, the bags and surrounding parts become the seat of a warm, hard and painful swelling. The animal stands with his four legs brought close together, the back is stiff and arched, the flanks are cordy, the abdomen painful, the pulse hard, small and increased. As the disease progresses, the symptoms are more marked, the enlargement of the envelopes increases and is more diffuse, it extends down to the abdomen, and even under the chest, passes along the thighs, is less warm, less hard, less painful, and pits under pressure. There are slight colics, the pulse gets smaller, intermittent, the respiration is increased, and the animal dies towards the fifth or sixth day.”
The treatment to be recommended varies according to different authors. While some prescribe depletive and sedative treatment, laxatives and diuretics, many prefer tonics and stimulants. The Germans claim great results from the use of tincture of arnica (in small doses) administered internally. The external treatment consists in sinapisms, warm fomentations, poultices, or fumigations under the abdomen.
TETANUS.
As with most cases of traumatic tetanus, this complication is generally fatal, and it is, without doubt, the most dangerous of all and marked by the greatest mortality. It is generally admitted that exposure to cold and dampness is one of the most prolific causes, especially in animals which, having but recently recovered, are too soon put to work. The various modes of operation have also been considered to have some influence upon its development, though there is probably no ground upon which this theory can find a support. Whether the nature of the soil of a district, or its atmospheric condition, may have any connection with it, is also a question. We know that in some portions of Long Island, cases of tetanus are commonly met with, at some seasons of the year, after surgical operations of every kind. It may appear within a few days following the castration, or it may defer its visitation for a period of twenty days, or longer.
The treatment adopted for the tetanus of castration is that which is applied to all cases of that traumatic affection.