141 



As it incre^ises it causes awkward, straddling, dragging movement of 

 the hind 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 sack, complicating the disease with hernia. 



The only rational and effective treatment is castration, and even this 

 may not succeed when the disease is specific (glanders, tuberculosis). 



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 ma}^ 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 fluctuation 

 under the fingers, the testicle being recognized as floating in water. 

 Jiy jjressure the liquid is forced, in a slow stream, and with a percep- 

 tible thrill, into the abdomen. Sometimes the cord, or the scrotum, 

 is thickened and i)its on pressure. 



Treatment may be 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 castration 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 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 mon- 

 ster. Teeth, hair, and other indications of a second foetus have like- 

 wise been found in the testicle, or scrotum. 



DEGENERATION OF THE TESTICLES. 



The testicles may become the seat of fibrous, calcareous, fatty, carti- 

 laginous, or cystic degeneration, for all of which the appropriate treat- 

 ment is castration. They also become the seat of cancer, glanders, 

 or tuberculosis, and castration is requisite, though with less hope of 

 arresting the disease. Finally they may become infested with cystic 

 tape-worms, or the armed round worm {sclerostomum equinum). 



