Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swine

by G. Moussu; Jno. A. W. Dollar

First stage. The operator, standing behind the animal’s hocks, grasps the testicular cords with the hands, immediately above the testicles, and by exercising strong pressure, thrusts the latter to the extreme base of the scrotum. The movement is next reversed; seizing the base of the scrotum with the right hand, he draws it smartly downwards, whilst he places the left hand above the right, and thrusts the testicles towards the abdomen. If the testicles do not rise sufficiently high, the right hand is slipped between these and the left hand, and the testicles are thus thrust upwards towards the lower inguinal rings, slightly dilating the latter.

After this manipulation has been repeated two or three times, the scrotum, etc., become more pliable and the testicles more easily displaced. The second stage of the operation is thus facilitated.

Second stage. The second stage of operation may be effected by one of two methods.

Fig. 311.—Bistournage. Second phase.

Old method: The oldest method consists in allowing one of the testicles to rise towards the inguinal ring and to turn the other in a vertical plane. If, for instance, it is desired to turn the right testicle, the cord is grasped between the thumb and index finger of the left hand (Fig. 311), the lower part of the scrotum is seized with the right hand, and the object then is to slide the point of the testicle along the dorsal surface of the fingers (Fig. 311). Simultaneously the operator presses on the base of the testicle with the thumb of the left hand, thus causing a rotary movement in a vertical plane; the tail of the epididymis becomes uppermost. A certain empty space separates the testicle from the base of the scrotum.

Third stage. Torsion of the cord. The testicle having been rotated, the cord must be twisted so that the vessels may be obliterated. The left hand continues grasping the cord, which is then brought in front of the testicle, whilst with the right hand the testicle is pushed backwards and is made to describe a semi-circle. The cord was previously on the left side; it is now on the right, and simultaneously the testicle passes from right to left.

Fig. 312.—Bistournage. Third phase.

In completing the turn the hands must not be changed, and, above all, must not let go their hold; and the cord is pushed forwards and towards the right with the right hand, whilst the testicle is pushed backwards and to the left with the left hand. The cord and the testicle resume their original position; one complete turn has been effected. These manipulations are repeated several times, and the cord soon assumes the appearance of a large, hard, tense string. To ensure obliteration seven or eight turns should be made in the case of the bull and four or five in that of the ram.