32 CASTRATION DF CRYPTORCHID HORSES. 



it might not reach the internal inguinal ring at' the time when 

 this aperture would be sufficiently relaxed to adrhit of its 

 passage, and it might not even reach it at all' but be pushed out 

 of place, by some internal organ. 



The testicle itself may be abnormally large, being- cystic or 

 otherwise diseased ; the epididymis is frequently excfessively 

 large or misshapen. An unriaturallj'- short" vas deferens or 

 spermatic artery, too, would cause rfetehtion. 



The inguinal canal may be so narrow, or its entrance or 

 external exit so small and abnormally contracted just at the 

 period when the testicle approaches, that this latter organ 

 cannot gain admittance ; or, if admitted, cannot pass through 

 into the scrotal sac. 



The gubernaculum testis, by which the testicle is drawn 

 through the canal towards the scrotum, may be paralysed so 

 that its natural function as a guide is useless; and, lastly, there 

 may be some abnormal contraction of the skin of the scrotum 

 by which, although the testicle has reached the external inguinal 

 ring or even passed through it, the organ is either tightly held 

 there or forced under the skin of the prepuce, abdomen, or 

 thigh. 



The operator should continually keep swabbing up any 

 blood which may be present on his arm or at the entrance 

 of the wound, and when once the testicle has been brought 

 into sight it may be removed by the ^craseur or whatever 

 instrument is preferred. 



After the wound has been carefully cleansed (not swilled out, 

 as this is likely to send blood up into the abdomen) and all 

 blood clot removed, the skin wound should be closely sutured 

 with boiled silk or silkworm gut if the abdomen has been 

 entered, and the colt allowed to get up. If the abdomen has 

 not been opened there is no need to suture, the case really 

 being little more complicated than an ordinary castration; The 

 colt should be allowed to get up with the side upon which the 

 abdomen has been entered next to the ground, the weight of 

 the body and upper hind leg thus lessening the tendency to 



