CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHID HORSES. 141 



means of inserting an index finger in it or the testicle 

 needs to be guided through the opening. 



We have described herein one method of castrating a 

 cryptorchid horse where the cryptorchidy is due to an arrest 

 in the development of the gland and ol its descent. There 

 are other methods employed which introduce variations at 

 at each step, many operators making the incision over the 

 external ring instead of near the median line and it is even 

 more common for the operator to avoid opening the internal 

 ring and penetrating the peritoneal cavity somewhat in front 

 of and above it through the small oblique muscles. When 

 one plan has been learned the variations are easily applied. 

 There are other causes of cryptorchidy in rare cases which 

 require a different procedure in order to extract the gland 

 which varies with particular cases but the essentials for the 

 discovery and recognition of the testicle are the same. 



Prior to attempting the operation it is well to make a 

 rectal exploration and determine as far as may be the loca- 

 tion of the testicle, whether it be on the right or left side, 

 and its character, should it be in any way pathologic. After 

 the testicle is brought to the surface it may be removed 

 with the emasculator or by such means as the operator may 

 prefer. Cryptorchid testicles when due to arrest in develop- 

 ment are not vascular and there is little tendeuc3' to hemor- 

 rhage after excision. Place an antiseptic tampon in the 

 wound, pushing it well up against the internal ring and re- 

 tain it in position by means of sutures for a period of 24 to 

 48 hours when it is removed and the wound dressed anti- 

 septically. 



The operation for cryptorchidy in the smaller animals is 

 essentially the same as in the horse except that the incision 

 is to be made ordinarily through the flank as in spaying. 

 The same attachments are to be our guide and the operation 

 is to proceed upon almost parallel lines. 



