GENITAL ORGANS. 181 



2d. Orchitis, acute inflammation of the tissues of the testicles, whose multi- 

 ple causes often give rise to serious complications. 



3d. Sarcocele, which is usually one of the terminations of chronic orchitis, 

 and consists in a more or less pronounced induration of the gland. It forms a 

 voluminous tumor, insensitive to pressure, complicated at times by hydropsy of 

 the vaginal sheath, and accompanied by a considerable enlargement of the cord. 

 Sarcocele, by its weight, inconveniences the animal considerably ; but this would 

 be of little import if it were not frequently one of the manifestations of~glanders 

 or the sign of a cancerous state. As the differential diagnosis is difficult, and as 

 there is always apprehension of the presence of a glanderous diathesis, it will be 

 prudent to condemn animals which are thus affected, more particularly if they 

 are intended for reproduction. 



False sarcocele is a similar condition, which has its seat in the testicular 

 envelopes. Its prognosis is sometimes as serious as that of the preceding. 



4th. Hydrocele, which is an acute or a chronic dropsy of the vaginal sheath. 

 The latter form is particularly serious in that it predisposes to hernia, occasions 

 great pain, and causes atrophy of the testicle. It is quite frequently a compli- 

 cation of sarcocele. 



5th. Varicocele, varicose dilatation of the veins of the envelopes, of the cord, 

 and of the gland itself. It is very rare in the horse. 



6th. Carcinoma, which affects the substance of the testicle and causes a 

 gradual atrophy of the latter. This tumor is one of the forms of what is called 

 sarcocele. 



7th. Cysts, distinguished as dermoid or as serous, according to their nature ; 

 they are rare, and are located in the testicles, the envelopes, or the cord. 



8th. Champignon, scirrhous cord, an indurated tumor of the extremity of the 

 cord, which follows castration on one side or the other, and has no tendency 

 towards cicatrization ; it presents a deep fistula leading to the interior of the 

 parts and discharging an abundance of pus. It is a common diseased state, and 

 is grave on account of its complications. 



9th. Finally, hernia, called inguinal or testicular, due to a displacement of a 

 portion of the intestine into the vaginal sheath. It is acute or chronic, according 

 to its duration and symptoms. The violent colics which accompany the acute 

 form will always prevent the animal from being offered for sale. It is not the 

 same with the chronic form, examples of which are quite frequently met in 

 stallions. 



The old law of redhibitory vices comprised chronic intermittent hernia among 

 the diseases capable of causing the annulment of the sale ; the law of August 2, 

 1884, does not include it. 



However, a horse suffering from chronic hernia should never be purchased ; 

 at some period he may succumb to a strangulation of the hernial intestine, an acci- 

 dent always to be feared, because there is always a possibility of its occurrence. 



B. The Sheath and the Penis. 



To the organs charged with the secretion of the semen is annexed 

 an apparatus of excretion, the penis, which serves at the same time for 

 copulation and for the emission of the urine. This organ is protected 



