CO.MFLICATIUNS IN ( ■AbTRATIUN 49 



principal reason that the.y are sterile as breeding animals and a public 

 and private nuisance among other classes of live stock. Some of them 

 become vicious, in which event they are dangerous both to the owner and 

 to other animals. The fact that the testicle is inside the abdominal cavity, 

 is small, undeveloped and sterile, does not reduce the sexual desire of its 

 possessor in the least. On the other hand, it appears at times that the 

 sexual desire is abnormal. A horse with an undescended testicle is as 

 undesirable as a mare affected with nymphomania. They are useless as 

 service or breeding animals. There is no reason why they should not be 

 castrated and every reason why they should be. 



Diagnosis — If possible, secure an accurate history of the subject, as this 

 is a necessary adjunct to operating satisfactorily and successfully. Ascer- 

 tain 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 hoAv long since removal? 



The information obtained is not always trustworthy, so the operator 

 is not justified in proceeding witli the operation until as an additional pre- 

 caution he has personally examined the animal carefully. 



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

 attempted operation. If tlie operation was performed by either the 

 ecraseur or emaseulator — some time previously — no distinct scar may be 

 present. 



2. Examine the inguinal canal for the stump of the cord. If the 

 previous operation was performed at an early age the stump of the cord 

 may be atrophied to such an extent that its presence in the canal cannot 

 be determined. 



If after questioning the owner or attendant and examining the patient 

 you are still in doubt as to which testicle is undescended, the proper 

 method of procedure would be to invade the left, as four-fifths of all 

 undescended testicles are on the left side. If you should make a mistake 

 and invade the wi-ong side, proceed at once to turn the patient over and 

 operate on tlie other side. The diagnostic value of rectal exploration at 

 any time is doubtful. Such examination immediately before operating is 

 bad practice and not justified. 



j^gg — Ordinarily the question of age is not one left to the choice of the 

 operator. He is forced to take them at any age he finds them. It is not 

 well to operate upon a ridgling until he is at least two years old. The 

 ideal age is three years, as at that age the animal is larger and better 

 developed, which, of course, means that there is much more room in tlie 

 inguinal canal and groin in wliich to work. Besides, at tliree years old 

 the abdominal wall is thicker and stronger and there is less liability of 



