DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 143 



envelopes of the testicle, which may become thickened and doughy, 

 pitting on i^ressure. The swelling may be so much greater in the 

 convoluted excretory duct along the upper border of the testicle as to 

 suggest the presence of a second stone. Even in the more violent 

 attacks the intense suffering abates somewhat on the second or third 

 day. If it lasts longer it is likely to give rise to the formation of 

 matter (abscess). In exceptional cases the testicle is struck with 

 gangrene, or death. Improvement may go on slowly to complete 

 recovery, or the malad}^ may subside into a subacute and chronic form 

 with induration. Matter (abscess) may be recognized by the presence 

 of a soft spot, where pressure with two fingers will detect fluctuation 

 from one to the other. When there is liquid exudation into the 

 scrotum, or sack, fluctuation may also be felt, but the liquid can be 

 made out to be around the testicle and can be pressed up into the 

 abdomen through the inguinal canal. When abscess occurs in the cord 

 the matter may escape into the scrotal sac and cavity of the abdomen 

 and pyemia ma}' follow. 



Treatment consists in perfect rest and quietude, the administration 

 of a purgative (1 to \\ pounds Glauber's salts), and the local appli- 

 cation of an astringent lotion (acetate of lead 3 drams, extract of 

 belladonna 2 drams, and water 1 quart) upon soft rags or cotton wool, 

 kept in contact with the part by a suspensory bandage. This bandage, 

 of great value for support, may be made nearly triangular and tied to 

 a girth around the loins and to the vipper part of the same surcingle 

 by two bands carried backward and upward between the thighs. In 

 severe cases scarifications one-fourth inch deep serve to relieve vascu- 

 lar tension. When abscess is threatened its formation may be favored 

 by warm fomentations or poultices, and on the occurrence of fluctua- 

 tion the knife may be emplo3''ed to give free escape to the pus. The 

 resulting cavity may be injected daily with a weak carbolic-acid lotion, 

 or salol may be introduced. The same agents may be used on a gland 

 threatened with gangrene, but its prompt removal by castration is to 

 be preferred, antiseptics being applied freely to the resulting cavity. 



SARCOCELE. 



This is an enlarged and indurated condition of the gland, resvilting 

 from chronic inflammation, though it is often associated with a specific 

 deposit, like glanders. In this condition the natural structure of the 

 gland has given place to embryonal tissue (small round cells, with a 

 few fibrous bundles), and its restoration to health is very im.probal>lo. 

 Apart from active inflammation, it may increase very slowly. The 

 diseased testicle is enlarged, firm, nonelastic, and comparatively insensi- 

 ble. The skin of the scrotum is tense, and it may be edematous (pit- 

 ting on pressure), as are the deeper envelopes and spennatic cord. 

 If liquid is present in the sac, the sj'mptoms are masked somewhat. 



