VENTRAL OPERATION ON CRYPTORCHIDS. 



249 



The ventral operation can either be performed from the flank or 

 the lower surface of the abdomen. Both methods have been recom- 

 mended, but neither is now much practised. 



The horse having been cast and placed on its back, the seat of 

 operation is thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. Gunther, who 

 adopted the low operation, made a longitudinal incision of about four 

 to five inches, commencing opposite the free extremity of the sheath 

 and 2 to 2h inches distant from it and passing backwards. This 



Fig. 256. — Showing position of incision in inguinal operation for cryptorchidism. 



incision exposed the ^'ellow elastic abdominal tunic, which was next 

 incised until the rectus abdominis muscle came in view. The rectus 

 abdominis was partly cut and partly torn through as far as the tendon 

 of the transversalis abdominis, the fibres of which were divided ; the 

 peritoneum, thus exposed, was penetrated with a sharp thrust with 

 the forefinger. By inserting and spreading out the other fingers the 

 opening in the transverse muscle was sufficiently enlarged in the 



