338 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



HYDROCELE DROPSY OF THE SCROTUM. 



This may be merely 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, spermatic cord, or walls of the sack. 



The symptoms are enlargement of the scrotum and fluctu- 

 ation under the fingers, the testicle being recognized as float- 

 ing 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, are thickened and pit 

 on pressure. 



Treatment maybe the same as for ascites, yet when the 

 effusion has resulted from inflammation of the testicle or 

 cord, astringent applications (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 sacks. 



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 cas- 

 tration may be resorted to. 



ABNORMAL NUMBER OF TESTICLES. 



Sometimes one or both testicles are wanting; in most such 

 cases, however, they are merely partially developed and re- 

 tained in the inguinal canal or the abdomen (cryptorchid). 

 In rare cases there may be a third testicle, the animal be- 

 coming to this extent a double monster. Teeth, hair and 

 other indications of a second foetus have likewise been found 

 in the testicle, or scrotum. 



DEGENERATION OF THE TESTICLES. 



The testicles may become the seat of fibrous, calcareous, 

 fatty, cartilaginous, or cystic degeneration, for all of which 

 the appropriate treatment is castration. They also become 



