CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHIDS 19 



If a recognizable gubernaculum is present, it 

 may be an important guide to the internal ring, 

 and hence an aid of value to the operator, especi- 

 ally to the beginner ; or the operator, by grasping 

 this and drawing upon it, may bring the testicle 

 out through the ring and grasp it. Usually the 

 presence or absence of this structure in a recog- 

 nizable form may be suspected by the presence 

 or absence of a distinct dimple or depression at 

 the fundus of the scrotum. 



When the epididymis has descended into the 

 scrotum, it is recognized as a somewhat firm cord 

 about the size of a man's finger, and is well nigh 

 indistinguishable from the stump of the sper- 

 matic cord following castration. It is more free 

 from adhesions to surrounding tissues, and its 

 obtuse extremity is connected with the skin and 

 dartos only by the indistinct gubernaculum. Cut- 

 ting through the peritoneal sheath of the cord, 

 the operator exposes the vas deferens and tail of 

 the epididymis firmly attached, naturally, not by 

 adhesions, at the distal end of the tubular cord. 

 By exerting traction upon the tail of the epididy- 

 mis, the head of that organ may be brought into 



