166 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



paratively insensible. The skin of the scrotum is tense, and it may- 

 be edematous (pitting on pressure), as are the deeper envelopes and 

 spermatic cord. If liquid is present in the sac, the symptoms are 

 masked somewhat. As it increases it causes awkward, straddling, 

 dragging movement of the hind limbs, or lameness on the affected 

 side. The spermatic cord often increases at the same time with the 

 testicle, and the inguinal ring being thereby stretched and enlarged, 

 a portion of intestine may escape into the sac, complicating the 

 disease with hernia. 



The only rational and effective treatment is castration, and when 

 the disease is specific (glanders, tuberculosis), even this may not 

 succeed. 



HYDROCELE, OR DROPSY OF THE SCROTUM. 



This may be merely an accompaniment of dropsy of the abdomen, 

 the cavity of which is continuous with that of the scrotum in horses. 

 It m^j be the result, however, of local disease in the testicle, sper- 

 matic cord, or walls of the sac. 



/Symptoms. — The symptoms are enlargement of the scrotum, and 

 fluctuation under the fingers, the testicle being recognized as floating 

 in water. By pressure the liquid is forced, in a slow stream and with 

 a perceptible thrill, into the abdomen. Sometimes the cord or the 

 scrotum is thickened and pits on pressure. 



Treatment may be the same as for ascites, yet when the effusion has 

 resulted from inflammation of the testicle or cord, astringent applica- 

 tions (chalk and vinegar) may be applied to these. Then, if the 

 liquid is not reabsorbed under diuretics and tonics, it may be drawn 

 off through the nozzle of a hypodermic syringe which has been first 

 passed through carbolic acid. In geldings it is best to dissect out the 

 sacs. 



VARICOCELE. 



This is an enlargement of the venous network of the spermatic 

 cord, and gives rise to general thickening of the cord from the tes- 

 ticle up to the ring. The same astringent dressings may be' tried as 

 in hydrocele, and, this failing, castration may be i-esorted to. 



ABNORMAL NUMBER OF TESTICLES. 



Sometimes one or both testicles are wanting; in most such cases, 

 however, they are merely partially developed, and retained in the 

 inguinal canal or abdomen (cryptorchid). In rare cases there may 

 be a third testicle, the animal becoming to this extent a double mon- 

 ster. Teeth, hair, and other indications of a second fetus have like- 

 wise been found in the testicle or scrotum. 



