186 The Diseases of Animals 
A ridgling or eryptorchid is a colt or horse in which 
one of the testicles remains in the abdominal cavity, 
and does not descend into the scrotum at birth, as 
is usually the case. Ina few cases the missing testicle 
can be felt in the inguinal canal, leading from the 
abdominal cavity to the scrotum, where it can be se- 
cured and removed in the ordinary way, but 1n most 
cases the testicle is in the abdominal cavity and an 
expert surgeon should be called upon to operate for 
its removal. A ridgling has all the characteristics 
of a stallion, and after the testicle that is down is 
removed, can serve and impregnate. mares, although 
the service is not as sure as that of a perfect stallion. 
In rare cases both testicles remain in the abdominal 
cavity. 
Serotal hernia is most frequently met with in colts 
and pigs. In operating, an incision is made through 
the skin, but not through the thin, white membrane 
that covers the testicle. The hernia is then reduced 
by working the intestine back into the abdominal cavity, 
and a clamp is firmly fastened on the sack above the 
testicles and they are removed. The clamps are left 
on until the sack is grown together above; this holds the 
hernia in place. In operating on colts or horses, a skilled 
surgeon should be employed. While serotal hernias are 
rather common in young colts, most of the animals 
outgrow the difficulty before they are two years old. 
In operating on pigs, the hernia is pushed back into 
the cavity, the testicle removed and the sack firmly 
sewed up by sewing “over and over,” or the sack is 
gathered together and firmly tied with a stout string. 
