THE CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHID 



HORSES. 



Definition and Reason for Operating.— By the term " crypt- 

 orchid " is understood an animal that has one or both testicles 

 hidden from external view. If one is out of sight, the animal 

 is said to be a unilateral cryptorchid or monorchid ; if both are 

 hidden, then the term bilateral or double cryptorchid is applied. 

 The agricultural community know an animal of this kind better 

 under the name of " rig " or " ridgling." The terms " retention 

 of the testicle " or " undescended testicle " are more commonly 

 applied by our medical confreres to a similar condition in 

 human patients.. 



Cryptorchidism may exist in any of the domesticated animals, 

 and has been observed in the horse, bull, pig, ram, dog, and 

 cat. Probably it is more frequently operated upon in the horse, 

 dog, and pig than in any of the others. The removal of this 

 hidden testicle is, in the majority of instances, a matter of 

 necessity, especially in the horse, as the animal may at any 

 time display a vicious and treacherous disposition. , I have 

 had one instance in which a cryptorchid horse had worked 

 -quite quietly for three years, but one day, without any warning, 

 the animal suddenly turned upon its driver, knocked him down, 

 and bit him savagely. In any case, even if not vicious, a "rig" 

 colt is a nuisance to its owner, because it will constantly be 

 trying to get at the mares and is uncertain with other horses, 

 being therefore unable "to be turned out to grass. The ex- 



