CRYPTORCHIDECTOMY 261 



function of both organs after one is removed, the single or- 

 gan within the abdominal cavity frequently undergoes cystic 

 degeneration and develops into a large fluctuating body. 

 (Farmer Miles designated this condition "internal hydro- 

 cele"). In other cases they undergo fibrous degeneration and 

 become hard, indurated masses; and furthermore the ab- 

 dominal testicle, owing to its abnormal life, is very suscept- 

 ible to strongylus, tuberculosis, glanders, and suppurative 

 processes. The latter condition frequently coexists with the 

 cystic degeneration. ,The testicle is not covered with peri- 

 toneum. The tunica vaginalis is wanting; except in rare 

 cases it is found collapsed and protruding down the inguinal 

 canal several inches. 



2. Extra-abdominal cryptorchidism, like the foregoing, 

 may be unilateral or bilateral. It is a normal anatomical 

 condition with some mammals during the brief period after 

 birth. In most animals, however,, it is pathological. In 

 both instances there is a strong tendency toward descent 

 of the testicle into the scrotum as the subject grows older. 

 When the opposing testicle is removed by castration their 

 descent is more certain. 



This variety is again subdivided into supra-scrotal and 

 intra-inguinal cryptorchidism. The supra-scrotal testicle is 

 common in young animals, and may descend into the scrotum 

 as the animal develops. If the opposing testicle is removed its 

 descent is certain. The testicle is covered with the tunica vag- 

 inalis and is better developed than any of the other varieties. 

 In the inter-inguinal (high-flanker) variety the testicle is 

 found just below the internal, inguinal ring within the in- 

 guinal canal, appropriately clothed with the tunica vaginalis 

 containing more than the usual amount of serous fluid. The 

 testicle is smaller than the supra-scrotal; and is less inclined 

 to descend when the opposing testicle is removed. It is fre- 

 quently very small and easily "overlooked" in palpating the 

 region before operating. 



The intra-inguinal cryptorchid is one of the interesting 

 freaks of cryptorchidism in horses. The testicle is found 

 strangled by the epididymis in the inguinal ring, the major 

 portion of the. testicle remaining within the abdominal 

 cavity. The epididymis is covered with a tunica vaginalis 

 and is distended with fluid. (Se'e modifications page 271). 



Farmer Miles .classified ridglings into Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 

 5. The first three refer to the location, and the remaining 

 two to pathological conditions of the testicles: 



jtf a r< — The testicle is located above the scrotum in the 



