ANIMAL CASTEATION. 93 



tlie inguinal space and to close hermetically the 

 peritoneal opening. 



Third Step. — SearcTdng and Exit of the Testicle. — The 

 peritoneum being open on the proper place, the three 

 middle fingers, or only the index and medium, are 

 introduced in the opening and begin to explore. In 

 most cases, the testicle is in front and below iho 

 opening, not far from the ascending branch of tho 

 ilium. Rarely the gland itself is reached; more 

 commonly it is the epididymis or the inferior border 

 of the suspensory ligament. Whatever ic found, it 

 is drawn into the tract. 



In some horses, the searching of the gland is very 

 difficult. Exploration is made with the fingers in all 

 directions and nothing but the intestinal circumvolu- 

 tions are found. Then the peritoneal opening must be 

 enlarged to allow the introduction of the whole hand, 

 which is successively carried towards the median line 

 and the entrance of the pelvis or passed over the 

 abdominal wall from inwards outwards. During the 

 struggles of the animal, greai care must be taken not 

 to push with the f]st nv forearm too hard on the 

 internal border of the perforation, as the commissure 

 might tear easily and the opening assume dangerous 

 proportions. Disturbed by the intestinal circumvolu- 

 tions that must be displaced or pushed back, the 

 hand soon gets tired; a little rest must be taken, 

 with the hand still kept in the abdomen, or some- 

 times it may be carefully withrawn and the operation 

 resumed after a little while. 



But, as in the Danish method, instead of carrying 



