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 may 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 resorted 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. 
