90 ANIMAL CASTEATION. 



premature union may be readily prevented, as we 

 have before state d,, by the careful introduction of the 

 finger into the wound while it is still suppurating. 

 But notwithstanding this precaution they will some- 

 times occur as the result of the infiltration and accu- 

 mulation of the suppurative matter. A free incision 

 and proper attention to the cavity of the abscess, is 

 all that this accident requires. A careful examina- 

 tion of the parts will, however, reveal another cause 

 for the formation of these abscesses. It is then 

 against these causes that the therapeutic treatment 

 must be directed. We refer now to the complica- 

 tion known as the formation of a 



CHAMPIGNON. 



This name is applied to an indurated condi- 

 tion of the end of the cord, or in its thickness, 

 of a tumefied character, varying in size and extent, 

 and slow in its growth. It results from an excess of 

 inflammatory action, attributable to the manipula- 

 tions which become necessary during the perform- 

 ance of the operation. The name " champignon " 

 (or mushroom) is applied to it by the French, on ac- 

 count of the pedunculated appearance which it some- 

 times assumes, and which causes it to greatly resem- 

 ble that fungus in its outward figure. It is also 

 known as schirrous or indurated cord. The tumor 

 is sometimes situated on the outside of the envelopes, 

 when it is known as extra-$crotal, but more commonly 

 it is found covered by the skin, in which case it is 

 better known as intra-scrotal. In this latter condi- 



