CRYPTORCHID CASTRATION. 221 



though frequently the sheath is too narrow to permit the passage 

 of the testis, which remains fixed at the inner inguinal ring or within 

 the abdomen. As it is difficult, and even dangerous because of 

 possible rupture, to effect sufficient dilatation of the vaginal sheath, 

 the operator should either disregard its presence or hold it tense 

 with one hand while the other passes to the point where the peritoneal 

 cavity may be entered and the testicle brought through the wound 

 into the inguinal canal. 



(d) To reach the testicle within the abdomen, the hand, with 

 fingers and thumbs extended and held together in cone shape, is 

 introduced through the external inguinal ring and by semirotary and 

 thrusting movements is gradually passed upwards in the direction of 

 the haunch, occasionally pausing and applying the palmar surface of 

 the fingers to the antero-internal wall, which becomes appreciably 

 thinner as the hand ascends the canal, until only the peritoneum is 

 found separating the hand from the intestines. At this point the 

 abdominal cavity should be entered. 



(e) A finger is pushed through the peritoneum and the opening 

 is enlarged by carefully introducing a second finger. Perforation is 

 easily made, and if the horse struggle at the moment of puncture 

 the wound may be torn to an alarming extent. Frequently the 

 first object encountered by the fingers on entering the peritoneal 

 cavity is the testicle, which appears to float towards the opening. 

 In other cases the fingers, after searching in every direction, fail to 

 find the testicle or cord, and the hand, and if necessary part of the 

 forearm, must be passed into the abdomen and the search continued. 

 Palpation should be carefully practised while searching, as the testicle 

 may be quite near the hand, but owing to cystic or other abnormality 

 the gland may not at once be recognised. One operator recommends 

 passing the hand towards the bladder, finding the vas deferens, and 

 tracing it back towards the testicle. A hand in the rectum movmg 

 the intestines away from the inguinal region, is often of great 

 assistance to the operator in his efforts to find the testicle ; and 

 in cases attended with much difficulty the effect of altering the 

 position of the horse — as from the lateral to the dorsal position 

 should be tried. Having found the te&ticle, it is drawn through 

 the peritoneal opening into the inguinal canal and removed by the 

 ecraseur. Before tightening the chain, the operator should assure 

 himself that the loop does not include any portion of intestine, which 

 may have passed into the canal with the testicle. If prolapse has 

 occurred, reduction must be effected before the testicular cord is 

 divided. 



