78 SPRING-TIME SURGERY 



I found it necessary to insert more than two 

 fingers into the abdominal cavity excepting where 

 a cystic formation or other abnormality was 

 present. 



The fecal matter in the floating colon is not 

 to be mistaken for the testicle, being easily dis- 

 tinguished by its softer consistency. Mesenteric 

 arteries should be easily recognized by their dis- 

 tinct pulsations and not mistaken for the vas 

 deferens. A flabby, undeveloped testicle and epid- 

 idymis, however, closely resemble in touch the 

 small intestine. In a number of cases I have 

 withdrawn the small bowel to the outside suffi- 

 ciently to recognize it, without bad after-effects. 

 An assistant with the ability to recognize a tes- 

 ticle through the rectal wall, can sometimes 

 render valuable aid in locating the missing organ 

 and the operator should resort to it himself with 

 his disengaged hand and arm, rather than keep 

 the animal down unnecessarily long; prompt and 

 careful cleansing of the hand and arm by an as- 

 sistant before the instrument or the operating 

 field is touched during the remainder of the 



