CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHID HORSES. 153 



operators avoid opening the internal ring and penetrate the 

 peritoneal cavity somewhat in front of and above the ring 

 through the small oblique muscle. When one plan has 

 been learned the variations are easil}' applied. 



There are other causes of cryptorchidy which in rare cases 

 require a different procedure in order to extract the gland 

 varying with individual cases but the essentials for the 

 tracing and recognition of the testicle are the same. 



Prior to attempting the operation it is well to make a 

 rectal exploration and determine as far as may be the loca- 

 tion of the testicle, whether it be on the right or left side, 

 and its character, should it be in any way pathologic. 



After the testicle is brought to the surface it may be re- 

 moved with the emasculator or by such means as the opera- 

 tor may prefer. Cryptorchid testicles when due to arrest 

 in development are not vascular and there is little tendency 

 to hemorrhage after exci.sion. Place an antiseptic tampon 

 in the wound, pushing it well up against the internal ring 

 and retain it in position by means of sutures for a period of 

 24 to 48 hours when it is removed and the wound dressed 

 antiseptically. 



The operation for cryptorchidy in the smaller animals is 

 essentially the same as in the horse except that the incision 

 is to be made ordinarily through the flank as in spaying. 

 The same attachments are to be our guide and the operation 

 is to proceed upon almost parallel lines. 



