124 CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHID HORSES 



third by means of the testicular artery, A. The guber- 

 naculum and the vas deferens constitute the essential guides 

 in locating and recognizing the testicle. 



By forming a hollow cone with the fingers about the in- 

 ternal ring, the gubernaculum, epididymis, and vas deferens 

 tend to drop out into the processus vaginalis where they 

 may be grasped with the fingers without having ruptured 

 the peritoneum. The vas deferens and epididymis present 

 characteristics which are unmistakable to the trained 

 touch, consisting of a small firm cord (vas deferens) or a 

 small mass of fine threads (tail of epididymis) which roll 

 freely between the thumb and finger and give a sensation 

 which is unlike that produced by any other tissue in the 

 body. 



Grasp the part firmly and tearing through the peritoneum, 

 seize the vas deferens and carefully draw it out through 

 the external wound. (In teaching cryptorchid castration 

 to the beginner, it is best for the instructor to make the 

 opening down to the internal ring, grasp the vas deferens 

 between the thumb and finger without penetrating the per- 

 itioneal cavity and passing a pair of long uterine dressing 

 forceps along the hand, fasten them upon the vas deferens. 

 The student then completes the operation, using the for- 

 ceps as a guide. He thus learns the relations and character 

 of the parts and recognizes the internal ring with the peri- 

 toneum still stretched across it, intact.) 



In case the vas deferens can not be felt before rupturing the 

 peritoneum, that membrane may be broken through with the 

 index finger, and inserting the finger into the cavity, the 

 gubernaculum is to be found attached to the postero-external 

 border of the ring, and but a short distance therefrom the 

 finger comes in contact with the vas deferens or with the 

 tail of the epididymis where the guternaculum crosses it at 

 E, in Fig. 48. Having reached the vas deferens, the operation 

 is proceeded with as above. Thus far the operator has not 



