CASTRATION OF CRYPTOECHIDS 11 



debris and structures, such as hair, dental tissues, 

 etc. They are highly interesting because they 

 suggest that the sexual glands are really of epi- 

 blastic origin, as contended by some embryolo- 

 gists, instead of mesoblastic, as asserted by most 

 authorities. 



The third group comprises extremely variable 

 pathologic changes, such as cystic, calcareous or 

 other forms of degeneration, malignant new- 

 growths, etc. 



These three groups are known to be of very 

 unequal size, though definite data as to the pro- 

 portions of each are wanting. Ninety-one cases 

 have been operated upon in our clinic, of which 

 ninety belonged to the first group, none to the 

 second, and one to the third. In private practice 

 we have met with one additional case of patho- 

 logic testicle, but no teratoma. 



The teratoma are considered so unusual that 

 iHiey are largely recorded, and probably an ex- 

 aggerated idea of their prevalence is acquired. 

 It is highly important that these three classes be 

 kept in mind, since they have an essential bear- 

 ing upon the surgical procedure in castration. 



