528 
CASTRATION. 
the very moment that we are beginning to think him out of 
clanger. 
2. Swelling of the Spermatic Cord . — This is usually more 
dangerous than the preceding affection. It generally appears 
between the fourth and eighth days after castration. The norse 
betrays a stiffness of the leg on the same side as the swelling. 
This is easily perceived when he is going out of the stable, and 
it does not disappear after some minutes’ exercise. The animal 
to a greater or less degree drags the limb after him, and the 
back and loins are bowed on that side. When both the cords 
are enlarged, and inflamed, the horse walks wide behind, and the 
lumbar region is stiff and depressed. The animal flinches if the 
cords are in the slightest degree pressed upon, and there is more 
or less heat at that part. 
When there is inflammation of the cord, but without any 
fungous growth, it will sometimes terminate in resolution, especi- 
ally if emollient cataplasms are applied to the lumbar region, 
and fomentations of the same kind to the affected parts, and 
emollient injections, and restricted diet, and bleeding, and 
little exercise : but, generally, abscess and scirrhus of the cord 
result. 
The abscess resulting from inflammatory engorgement of the 
cord ordinarily appears at the groin. It is brought to maturity by 
applications of the ung. populeum* : as soon as there is any fluc- 
tuation the abcess is opened, and the wound dressed with dry tow. 
Swelling of the cord is often accompanied by a fungous growth 
at its inferior extremity, assuming somewhat the form of a mush- 
room, and thence deriving its name champignon. This enlarge- 
ment sometimes appears when the wound in the scrotum is partly 
cicatrized, and it often adheres to the borders of the wound. 
There runs from the little opening which then remains, a glairy, 
ropy discharge, which sticks to the internal surface of the cor- 
responding thigh. The size of this fungus varies considerably 
in different cases. Those enlargements which have a narrow 
base, and are almost hidden in the wound made in the act of 
castration, are the least dangerous ; others with a wide base, vo- 
luminous, and complicated with scirrhous engorgement of the 
cord, whether at the ring alone, or penetrating into the abdomen, 
are attended by more serious consequences. 
The small fungous growths often disperse without any other 
care than that which is bestowed on the subduing of the inflam- 
matory swelling of the cord by which they are accompanied. 
♦Made of the leaves of white poppy, belladonna, black henbane, and black 
nightshade, with the buds of the black poplar boiled in lard — a favourite 
ointment with the French, and said to be emollient and narcotic. 
