Animal Castration 53 



page 67.) This corresponds to Miles' No. 4. Such cases are 

 usually very confusing to the operator ; especially is this true if 

 the operator belongs to the amateur fraternity. 



(cl) Anomalous cryptorchids is a condition wherein abnormally 

 developed or "diseased" testicles are encountered, viz.: hyper- 

 trophy, cysts — including dermoid and dentigeous — solid tumors 

 (sarcocelous), atrophy and adhesions of testicle to the parietal 

 peritoneum, etc. Some of the above enumerated anomalies and 

 curiosities encountered in eyptorchid castration complicate the 

 operative technique and have a tendency to cause the operator no 

 little anxiety, annoyance and oftentimes embarrassment. 



Objects and Indications — All "Ridgling" should be castrated 

 for the principal reason that they are sterile as breeding animals 

 and a public and private nuisance among other classes of live 

 stock. Some of them even acquire viciousness, in which event 

 they are dangerous both to the owner and other animals. The 

 mere fact that the testicle is inside the abdominal cavity, small, 

 undeveloped and sterile does not in any way reduce the sexual 

 desire of its possessor. On the other hand it appears that sexual 

 desire is abnormally stimulated. A horse with undescended tes- 

 ticle is as undesirable as a mare affected with nymphomania. 

 They are useless as service or breeding animals. There is no argu- 

 ment why they should not be castrated and every reason why 

 they should. 



Diagnosis — B}^ all means secure an accurate history of the sub- 

 ject if possible, as this is a necessary adjunct to operating satis- 

 factorily and successfully. Ascertain the following: 



1. If any previous unsuccessful attempt has been made to 

 operate. 



2. If either testicle has been successfully removed. If so, on 

 which side was it located and how long since removal? 



The information obtained is not always trustworthy, so as an 

 additional precaution the operator is not justified in proceeding 

 with the operation until he has personally carefully examined the 

 animal. 



1. Search scrotum carefully for cicatrix ("scar") of former 

 operation. If the operation was performed by either the ecraseur 



