408 CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



SPERMATIC ANEURISMAL VARIX IN THE OX. 



115. Two-year-old Dutch bullock in prime condition. 



State on Examination.— The swelling presented the appearance of a 

 very large testicle, over which the unmistakable purring fremitus and 

 humming bruit were well marked. 



The scrotum was carefully removed close up to the abdominal wall, 

 and the artery, and from that the vein, injected with wax. The dis- 

 parity in size between the artery and vein was marked. Each scrotal 

 sac showed a very visible castration cicatrix. 



Note by Professor W alley. — The origin of aneurismal varix in the 

 spermatic vessels of the castrated animal is perhaps more easy of 

 explanation than in the case of uncastrated animals. It would appear 

 to arise in much the same manner as the stump aneurisms so familiar 

 to the surgeon, /. c. a communication w^ould seem to be established 

 between the severed ends of the spermatic vessels shortly after castra- 

 tion. At first sight it might be thought that the arterial influx would 

 be conveyed away by the spermatic vein without much difficulty, but 

 v^hen it is remembered that the arterial blood has, under normal 

 circumstances, to pass through the capillaries of the testicle, and that 

 the impetus of the arterial influx is thereby materially checked, whereas 

 in such cases as that under consideration it passes directly into the 

 vein, which cannot possibly convey it away as quickly as it is poured in 

 through the artery, it will be seen that both vessels must in the end 

 become greatly dilated. In due course another factor in the production 

 of distension is superadded in the gradual narrowing of the inguinal 

 canal and the abdominal rings. In no case have I seen the dilatation 

 extend beyond the external ring, showing, I think, conclusively that 

 the aneurism has its origin in obstruction to the venous flow. 



Prof. Walley's case, Joiirn. Coiiip. Path, and Therap., 1894, p. 68. 



SCIRRHOUS CORD WITH URETHRAL OBSTRUCTION IN THE HORSE- 

 OPERATION— RECOVERY. 



116. An aged chestnut Clydesdale gelding, seen on the 17th March, 

 1893. 



History. — Had difficulty in micturition. 



State on Examination. — The animal made repeated attempts (even 

 when moving) to micturate, but could only pass small quantities of 

 urine, which continued to flow for several minutes after each attempt. 

 The animal showed scirrhous cord on the left side, and a considerable 

 amount of dense tissue embracing the lower and lateral aspects of the 

 penis, about six inches from its free extremity, beyond which point a 

 catheter could not be passed. On rectal exploration the bladder was 

 found greatly distended. 



On the following day the horse was cast, and the scirrhus exposed 

 by dissection, doubly ligatured high up, and removed. The dissection 

 being continued in a forward direction, the enlargement around the 

 penis was found to be caused by hypertrophy of the suspensory 



