144 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



As it increases it causes awkward, straddling, dragging movement of 

 the bind limbs, or lameness on the affected side. The spermatic cord 

 often increases at the same time with the testicle, and the inguinal 

 ring being thereby stretched and enlarged, a portion of intestine may 

 escape into the sac, complicating the disease wath hernia. 



The onl}" rational and effective treatment is castration, and even this 

 nm}' not succeed when the disease is specific (glanders, tuberculosis). 



HYDROCELE, OR DROPSY OF THE SCROTUM. 



This mu}^ be mereh' an accompaniment of dropsy of the abdomen, 

 the cavity of which is continuous with that of the scrotum in horses. 

 It may be the result, however, of local disease in the testicle, sper- 

 matic cord, or walls of the sac. 



Symptoms. — The sj'mptoms are enlargement of the scrotum, and 

 fluctuation under the fingers, the testicle being recognized as floating 

 in water. By pressure the liquid is forced, in a slow stream and with 

 a perceptible thrill, into the abdomen. Sometimes the cord or the 

 scrotum is thickened and pits on pressure. 



Treatment may be the same as for ascites, j'ct when the effusion has 

 resulted from inflammation of the testicle or cord, astringent applica- 

 tions (chalk and vinegar) may be applied to these. Then, if the liquid 

 is not reabsorbed under diuretics and tonics, it may be drawn off 

 through the nozzle of a hypodermic syringe which has been first 

 passed through carbolic acid. In geldings it is best to dissect out the 

 sacs. 



VARICOCELE. 



This is an enlargement of the venous network of the spermatic cord, 

 and gives rise to general thickening of the cord from the testicle up to 

 the ring. The same astringent dressings may be tried as in hydrocele, 

 and, this failing, castration may be resorted to. 



ABNORMAL NUMBER OF TESTICLES. 



Sometimes one or both testicles are wanting; in most such cases, 

 however, the}^ are merely partially developed, and retained in the 

 inguinal canal or abdomen (cryptorchid). In rare cases there may be 

 a third testicle, the animal becoming to this extent a double monster. 

 Teeth, hair, and other indications of a second fetus have likewise been 

 found in the testicle or scrotum. 



DEGENERATION OF THE TESTICLES. 



The testicles ma}^ become the seat of fibrous, calcareous, fatty, carti- 

 laginous, or cj'stic degeneration, for all of which the appropriate treat- 

 ment is castration. The}' also become the seat of cancer, glanders, 



