416 
HYDROCELE, HEMATOCELE, AND VARICOCELE. 
vaginalis. The condition, therefore, in its nature resembles hydrops 
ascites, and may result from inflammation of the tunica vaginalis. 
Sometimes the fluid accumulates in the spermatic cord, and then lies 
between the folds of the tunica vaginalis propria, a condition which 
has been termed hydrocele of the spermatic cord. 
Both conditions have repeatedly been seen in horses, oxen, and rams. 
Steiner found hydrocele of the spermatic cord in young geldings ; the 
seious fluid was contained in several small sacculations. Bichter has 
described the same disease in goats and horses. Moller met with hydro¬ 
cele of the spermatic cord containing more than 16 ounces of a reddish 
serum in castrating a cryptorchid. This complicated the operation and 
rendered it much more difficult, but nevertheless it succeeded. Steffen 
saw hydrocele of the processus vaginalis in a ram; Puntigam noted 
dilatation of the lymph vessels of the spermatic cord. 
Causes. Hydrocele may result from inflammation of the processus 
vaginalis of the testicle or of the spermatic cord, and may take either 
an acute or chronic course. In a sucking-pig and a stud bull Hess 
found not only serum, but fibrin and blood in the tunica vaginalis. 
External injuries, like bruises, are doubtless sometimes responsible for 
disease of this character. "When they lead to severe bleeding from the 
spermatic cord or processus vaginalis, we speak of hematocele. Hydro¬ 
cele of the processus vaginalis occurs in connection with hydrops ascites 
and hydrothorax as a local symptom of the general dropsical condition. 
Martin concluded that the occurrence of filaria papillosa in the dropsical 
vaginal process was a cause of hydrocele, but this view cannot be upheld, 
as the parasites are seen in by far the greater number of cases 
unaccompanied by hydrocele. 
Symptoms. Hydrocele with haematocele of the processus vaginalis 
sometimes presents a striking resemblance to inguinal hernia. The 
swelling is often very marked (Steffen saw a goat in which the scrotum 
reached nearly to the ground), but is soft, elastic, painless, and free from 
inflammatory symptoms. The condition is distinguished from rupture 
by die fact that swelling is confined principally to the lower part of the 
sciotum; above, the scrotum tapers away, and shows no abnormal dis¬ 
tension, because the fluid is easily displaced. By compressing the upper 
Part of the scrotum fluctuation may easily be detected at the base. 
In large animals the presence of inguinal hernia can also be determined 
by examination per anum. In hydrocele of the spermatic cord such 
examination may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, as the form of 
the swelling often greatly resembles that of a hernia. If absolutely 
necessary, an exploring needle may be passed into the scrotum. 
This disease is distinguished from sarcocele by the less firm swelling, 
and by the smaller size of the testicle, which as a rule appears atrophied? 
