42 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



femoral artery in the region of the inner ring is used 

 as a guide by some ; others seek the ilio-pectineal emi- 

 nence. During the process of opening the canal, one 

 should carefully palpate the structures to determine 

 whether or not the testicle or the epididymis has de- 

 scended into the canal and become lodged therein. 

 Dilatation of the margins of the wound will make pos- 

 sible a visual examination, and the depths of the struc- 

 tures may be further explored by careful palpation. 

 Having made sure that the testicle has not begun its 

 descent, the region of the inner abdominal ring is care- 

 fully explored, and here there is need for a modifica- 

 lion in the teclniic in different <'ases as heretofore 

 classified. 



In the subject where the inner abdominal ring is 

 outlined by a muscular margin' having for its central 

 portion the aponeurotic part of the inner oblique mus- 

 cle and where the surrounding area is firm, rather 

 heavy and unyielding — muscular fibres of the trans- 

 versalis abdominalis and inner oblique muscles, it is 

 well to immediately perforate this thin area at the site 

 of the inner ring with the finger. After having per- 

 forated the peritoneum, the finger is immediatelv 

 turned so as to contact the parietal peritoneum, avoid- 

 ing the possibility of its becoming invested with float- 

 ing omentum. If the testicle, epididymis or any por- 

 tion of the cord is not soon contacted, the operator, by 

 wiping with the finger in the direction of the attach- 

 ment of the gubernaeulum testes, seeks this fold and 

 begins to draw upon said structure, bringing the cord 

 within his grasp, whereupon it may be pulled into the 

 inguinal canal, bringing with it the testicle. Some 

 operators prefer to turn the finger toward the plica 

 uro-genitalis and in a similar manner bring the cord 



