ANIMAL CASTRATION. 67 



with both hands, and pressed upwards as far as pos- 

 sible against the inguinal ring (Fig. 21). Ibis neces- 

 sary to be very careful to ascertain that they rest on 

 the same level, in order to be secure against the 

 possibility of untwisting. The ligature is, then ap- 

 plied by passing three or four turns of it around the 

 scrotal envelopes, immediately below the testicles, 

 with not more than a sufficient degree of tightness 

 to assure it against slipping off. 



The symptoms which succeed the operation are not 

 commonly of a very serious nature, and subside 

 within a period of time varying from two to six 

 hours. Following the operation an inflammatory 

 swelling takes place in the bags, and after one or 

 two days assumes large dimensions. The ligature 

 can now be removed, and the animal left to himself, 

 without further treatment, the testicles undergoing 

 a slow process of atrophy readily recognized by their 

 appearance and the position they always thereafter 

 occupy in the vaginal sac. 



CASTRATION OF CRIPTOECHIDS. 



The abnormal development of animals in which 

 the testicles have failed to make their appearance 

 by descending through the inguinal canal into the 

 bags, is quite commonly met with in solipeds, the 

 animal being then known by the designation of 

 ridglings or originals. The position assumed by the 

 organ in relation to its normal situation being so 

 altered that it may be found either partly engaged 



