CRYPTORCHII) OPERATIONS. 399 



lower inguinal ring had to be slightly enlarged to allow the hand to 

 penetrate. No trace of the testicle was discovered. After examining 

 the inguinal canal the peritoneum was broken through at the point 

 chosen. The testicle was discovered after some moments' exploration. 

 It was excised with the ecraseur, and found to be very soft, flattened, 

 and to weigh only one ounce. 



A tampon of gauze was placed in the opening of the inguinal canal, 

 and the cutaneous wound brought together with three interrupted 

 sutures. 



That evening the animal's condition was good. Temperature 

 38*8° C, respiration 17, pulse 45. 



Next day the sutures were cut, the gauze removed, and the wound 

 cleansed with warm sublimate solution. On the i8th swelling was 

 marked. During the following day it extended under the belly, 

 remained for some time stationary, and then became absorbed. 

 Suppuration was trifling. The animal left hospital on the 4th 

 November. 



105. A four-year-old Percheron horse, entered hospital 24th May, 



On manipulating the scrotal region the left testicle could be felt. 

 The right side of the scrotum was empty. 



The animal was prepared for six days, and operation performed on 

 the 30th May according to the modified Danish method. The horse 

 was cast on the left side, the right hind leg drawn into a position of 

 abduction ; the scrotal region washed with soap and water, and after- 

 wards with an antiseptic, while the foot of the raised limb was covered 

 with a moist cloth. 



The inguinal canal contained a rudimentary vaginal sheath, which, 

 however, on incision was found to contain only a portion of the vas 

 deferens. 



With the broad end of a grooved director the small oblique muscle, 

 the transverse muscle, and the peritoneum were perforated a little out- 

 side of and behind the external commissure of the lower inguinal ring ; 

 the opening was afterwards enlarged with the same instrument. The 

 right index and middle fingers having been introduced into the 

 abdominal cavity soon discovered and withdrew the testicle, which 

 was excised with the ecraseur. Bleeding was checked with tampons 

 of cotton wool, and the wound washed with a solution of sublimate. 



The button-hole wound in the small oblique muscle was closed with 

 a suture, the wound covered with gauze, and the skin brought together 

 with sutures. The testicle weighed three ounces. 



On the left side castration was performed by the covered operation. 



After-treatment and progress were as in the preceding case. 



106. Four-year-old Percheron horse, entered hospital 7th June, 1895. 

 The left testicle was of moderate dimensions. By examining the 



inguinal region the right could be felt. On rectal e.xploration the 

 inguinal ring was found to be very narrow and to be traversed by a 

 thin cord ; the gland itself could not be discovered. The animal was. 



