ANIMAL CASTRATION. 75 



always depressed, iafundibuliform and contracted 

 on its edges ; and besides this, by manipulations of 

 tlie hand, near the inguinal ring and towards the 

 median line, it is easy to feel the stump of the 

 spermatic cord and trace it well up in the inguinal 

 ring where it enters. When castration is shammed, 

 these signs are missing ; there is only a superficial 

 cicatrix or a small fibrous spot continuous deeply 

 with one or several small brands of similar nature, 

 running in different directions. In some doubtful 

 cases, the following manner to examine is recom- 

 mended : the hand, introduced in the rectum, is 

 directed towards the superior inguinal ring ; as this 

 spot is reached, the pulp of the fingers is laid over it 

 and an assistant is asked to pull on the scrotum 

 below the corresponding inferior inguinal ring by 

 taking hold of the suspicious cicatrix or the parts 

 surrounding it ; if the testicle has been removed, the 

 cord will be felt sliding up and down with each pull 

 of the assistant; if the horse has inguinal monor- 

 chidy, the cord remains immovable. 



Cryptorchidy recognized, the question is whether 

 it is inguinal or abdominal. If the former, the hand, 

 with the fingers brought together in cone and pushed 

 in the external inguinal ring and the inferior part of 

 the canal, feels the testicle quite often through the 

 scrotum and the dartos. Introduced in the rectum 

 and feeling towards the prepubic region, the hand 

 will, on the corresponding side, find the cord passing 

 through the ring. When the horse is secured in 

 decubital position and the hind leg, free from 

 the hobble, has been carried in abduction, the testicle 



