ANIMAL CASTRATION. 15 



dilated, and the formation of a hernia of castration is 

 liable to take place, we submit the point to the intel- 

 ligent judgment, whether, in the presence of these 

 possibilities of extremely dangerous accidents, it does 

 not become the duty of the veterinarian to prefer the 

 mode of securing his patient in the supine position, 

 both in his own behalf and that of his employer. 



ANATOMY. 



We now pass rapidly in review the anatomical 

 structure of the inguinal region and of the testicular 

 organs. A knowledge of these is of course essential 

 to a proper understanding of the description of the 

 various modes of operation, and of some of their 

 sequelae, upon which we shall soon enter. 



The testicular envelopes, passing from the surface 

 inwards, are represented by the scrotum, the dartos, 

 the cellular coat, the tunica erythroida, formed by 

 the cremaster, and the fibrous and serous or vaginal 

 sac (Fig. 2). The scrotum is a continuation of the 

 skin, and forms a complete bag, common to both 

 testicles, which it contains and covers ; the skin being 

 here thin, vascular and nervous, usually black in 

 color, almost hairless, and soft and unctuous to the 

 touch. It is divided into two lateral halves by a raphce 

 or median line. It is very elastic, and easily yields 

 to the efforts of distention, to which it is subjected, 

 and when stretched over the organs it contains, pre- 

 sents a shining aspect, due to the sebaceous secretion 

 which covers it. It easily contracts to its shrunken 



