312 THE STOCK owner's ADVISEE. 



ings of the testicle, the dartos. Care should be taken in doing 

 this to avoid the large venous branches which abound in the 

 region. If these veins be cut the blood will interfere with the 

 operation. K^ext tear the loose cellular tissue, that lies imme- 

 diately under the dartos, with the fingers until the ring is felt. 

 ISTow introduce the hand into the inguinal canal, and separate it 

 as much as possible by passing the finger around the external 

 surface. The oj)ening is made lengthwise and of sufficient width 

 to allow of the passage of the testicle. When situated high up in 

 the ring, it is frequently difficult to grasp it and keep it suffi- 

 ciently steady in position to permit the free use of the bistoury. 

 The testicle should be gently drawn out and removed with the 

 ecraseur. If the testicle is found to be in the abdominal cavity 

 the surgeon should introduce his hand, with the fingers united 

 in the form of a cone, into the external inguinal ring, and care- 

 fully force them upward towards the external angle of the ilium, 

 resting them upon the crural arch. He soon reaches the closed 

 superior inguinal ring, feeling only the peritoneal membrane, 

 where it is readily torn. The opening here generally must be 

 large enough to permit the passage of the entire hand. Usually 

 the testicle, epididymus, vas defferens, or the blood vessels are 

 found floating near the torn opening in the peritoneum. If it 

 cannot be felt near the opening, the hand must be carried above 

 the neck of the bladder, towards the end of the deferent canal, 

 which must be followed until the epididymus or the testicle is 

 found. When found it must be carefully brought outwards by 

 a slow and steady traction upon the testicle itself. The testicle 

 should be removed by the use of the ecraseur, or by ligature. 

 The wound, externally, should be closed by at least a half dozen 

 interrupted sutures in order to guard against hernia. I have 

 had a case of hernia resulting from the abdominal operation, 

 caused by the horse rolling after the operation and getting his 

 feet fast under the manger, breaking the sutures. This seldom 

 happens, but a sufficient nnmlier of sutures should be used in 

 order to avoid the possibility of the bowels escaping and being 



