1 32 C ASTRA TION OF CR YPTORCHID HORSES. 

 33. CASTRATION OF CRYPTO RCHID HORSES. 



PivATHs XX AND xxr. 



Instruments. Scalpel, emasculator. 



Technic. Confine the animal by casting in the dorsal 

 position with the hocks well flexed and both posterior 

 limbs completely abducted so as to fully expose the inguinal 

 region. Or secure upon the operating table on the side 

 opposite to the retained gland and abduct the upper posteri- 

 or limb by drawing it upward by means of a pulley. Cleanse 

 and disinfect the inguinal region. Anaesthetize. Make 

 an incision about 10 to 12 cm. long through the skin and 

 subcutaneous tissue directly over the normal position of the 

 scrotum, parallel to the median raphe about 4 or 5 cm. 

 distant from it. Insert the two index fingers in the wound 

 and press them into the areoler tissue toward the external 

 inguinal ring and then drawing them apart separate the 

 tissues sufiiciently to permit the entrance of the hand. 

 With the fingers held in the shape of a cone bore a passage 

 in the areolar tissue through the external abdominal ring 

 and continue in a direction approximately toward the ex- 

 ternal angle of the ilium. Unless rectal exploration shows 

 that the testicle is within the abdomen, take care in travers- 

 ing the inguinal space between the external and internal 

 rings that the gland is not passed by unrecognized (inguinal 

 cryptorchidy) lying in this region covered by peritoneum 

 and the cremasteric fascia. Search in the muscular wall 

 for the internal inguinal ring which varies greatly in 

 different individuals but usually reveals itself to the fingers 

 as an oblong slit or ring covered only by peritoneum. 

 Through this may extend a portion of the gubernaculum 

 testis or of the vas deferens or epididymus which latter may 

 have descended into the scrotum while the testicle remains 

 in the abdomen. 



