CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHID HORSES. 133 



Examining Plate XX, the peritoneal view of the internal 

 ring is shown crossed by the dotted line, V, of the upper or 

 right testicle, into which extends a short distance the tail 

 of the epididymus. In the lower or left testicle the ring 

 has been opened and the gland lies in a position correspond- 

 ing to the right and showing the epididymus and vas defer- 

 ens lying in the processus vaginalis, P. The surgical rela- 

 tion of the parts is further illustrated in Plate XXI, where 

 the testicle is completely withdrawn into the peritoneal cavity 

 and spread out over the right flank. The processus 

 vaginalis, P, is outlined by a dotted line into which is in- 

 troduced a curved sound, S, along side which lies the 

 gubernaculum, G. The gubernaculum, it will be observed 

 is divisible into three sections, a slender one, G, which by 

 passing along behind the peritoneum escapes from the 

 abdominal cavity at the postero- external commissure of the 

 ring to extend to the scrotum. The .second portion of this 

 organ, G', is much thicker and extends from G to the 

 epididymus at E, while the third division, G", extends from 

 the epididymus to the testicle. 



In Plate XXI it is shown that the testicle under all ordinary 

 conditions is inevitably attached through its gubernaculum 

 testis to the posterio-external commissure of the ring and 

 that it has a second definite attachment to the seminal 

 bladder through the medium of the vas deferens, V, and a 

 third by means of the testicular artery, A. The guber- 

 naculum and the vas-deferens constitute the essential guides 

 in locating and recognizing the testicle. 



By forming a hollow cone with the fingers about the in- 

 ternal ring, the vas deferens, epididymus and gubernaculum 

 tend to drop out into the processus vaginalis where they 

 may be grasped with the fingers without the peritoneum 

 having been ruptured. The vas deferens and epididymus 

 present characteristics which are unmistakable to the 

 trained touch consisting of a small firm cord (vas deferens) 



