CASTRATION OP THE HORSE 37 



The abnormally retained testicle is usually infertile, 

 degenerated, and may be very small and lack develop- 

 ment. In other cases the gland is cystic and rarely 

 there may be found a larga dense teratomatous mass. 

 Where history is absent or unreliable, a careful exami- 

 nation of this subject is necessary in order to definitely 

 diagnose the case. 



The conformation is characteristic because of the 

 lack of development of the hind quarters in the adult; 

 a full crest, strong masculine features of the head and 

 absence of scrotum, are all indicative of cryptorchid- 

 ism, but it is necessary to examine further to deter- 

 mine the exact condition, whether one or both testicles 

 are retained and whether it is the right or left. One 

 cannot be guided in this solely by the presence or ab- 

 sence of scars in the scrotal region ; neither is the 

 absence of a palpable stump of the spermatic cord posi- 

 tive proof that the testicle has not been removed, for 

 in some cases, where animals are operated while very 

 young, there is so much atrophy of the stump of cord 

 that it is not discernible by digital manipulation. The 

 condition may be diagnosed by rectal palpation but this 

 method is not practical in field work. 



Age at Which Operation May be Performed. — The 

 best age at -which to castrate a cryiitorchid is a subject 

 on -which operators differ. It is certain that a t\\o or 

 three-year-old colt is more easily castrated than is a 

 yearling. However, the yearling colt that shows no evi- 

 dence of testicle within the inguinal canal is not likely 

 to manifest any change in this part at a later age and 

 should be castrated if healtliy, vigorous and not under- 

 sized. 



Anatomy. — It is not our purpose in this brief work 

 to elaborate upon the regional anatomy of the struc- 



