INFLAMMATION OF THE TESTICLE AND EPIDIDYMIS. 671 



prone to necrosis, as is seen after subcutaneous ligation of the 

 spermatic cord for castration. In ruminants and horses, calcification 

 and ossification of the testicle have also been seen. These processes, 

 however, are not dangerous to life in the same degree as pus 

 formation, which readily extends to the spermatic cord and produces 

 fatal purulent peritonitis. The commonest result is periorchitis, 

 adhesion of the testicle to the tunica vaginalis, or perforation out- 

 wardly through the skin of the scrotum. Hess saw periorchitis 

 plastica hemorrhagica in a sucking-pig and in a stud bull. Periorchitis 

 often results in hydrocele or hematocele. 



Treatment. Rest is very necessary, especially if serious swelling 

 interferes with the animal's movements. In such cases a suspensory 

 bandage may be applied. In fresh traumatic orchitis, applications 

 of cold water, solution of acetate of lead, or similar fluids may be 

 made. In human medicine, orchitis is treated by compresses of 

 adhesive plaster, which may be tried in larger animals, or in dogs 

 can be replaced by painting the scrotum with collodion and 

 applying a suspensory bandage. Scarification, though often con- 

 demned, is of considerable value in certain cases ; the punctures 

 should be deep, and bleeding should be promoted. Afterwards, 

 the scrotum is dressed antiseptically and supported by a bandage 

 or by adhesive strapping. Castration may certainly appear 

 indicated, especially in infective orchitis, with simultaneous disease of 

 the spermatic cord. Should signs of abscess formation appear in the 

 scrotum, an incision must be made ; and if high fever, &c, result, 

 castration should be performed in the usual way. As far as possible, 

 any diseased portions of spermatic cord should be removed. 

 Hertwig has seen recovery from spontaneous orchitis in the horse 

 after low diet, withdrawal of blood, and the use of laxatives. 



VIII.— TUMOURS OF THE TESTICLE (SARCOCELE) AND OF 

 THE EPIDIDYMIS. 



Since olden times every abnormal swelling of the testicle has 

 been termed sarcocele. In swine and cattle tuberculous growths 

 occur in the testicle ; in horses sarcomata, carcinomata, myomata, 

 botryomycomata, dermoid cysts, with hair and teeth, have been 

 met with, and in dogs both sarcomata and carcinomata. Hess 

 saw tuberculosis of the epididymis in a bull ; the end of the 

 epididymis formed a swelling as large as a goose's egg, and was 

 divided from the testicle by a distinct furrow. Schmidt saw tuber- 

 culosis of both testicles in a bull ; Arens in a boar ; the scrotum 



