420 
INFLAMMATION OF THE SPERMATIC CORD. 
position a long time, favours pus formation, and therefore increases the 
danger of infection. 
Inflammation spreads to the inner surface of the processus vaginalis, 
which soon becomes adherent to the spermatic cord ; but the connective 
tissue lying between the tunica vaginalis and tunica dartos is seldom 
affected. 
Symptoms and course. The swelling of the testicular cord does not 
completely subside after castration, but continues to discharge pus and 
slowly increases in circumference. This seldom receives early attention, 
and expert assistance is only called for when the owner fancies the dis¬ 
charge has lasted too long, or when several attacks of acute cellulitis have 
occurred. As soon as the fistulous aperture has closed, the swelling sud¬ 
denly increases, spreads to neighbouring tissues, including the connective 
tissue around the processus vaginalis, often even to the sheath itself, and 
only subsides when a new opening has been established. This acute 
cellulitis returns at varying intervals. It may, however, never occur, 
and the disease exist for an indefinite time without making much pro¬ 
gress or occasioning disturbance, indeed without ever being recognised. 
The swelling, which is firm, hard, and slightly painful, sometimes remains 
confined to the lower end of the spermatic cord, but sometimes extends 
further upwards, and may even reach the abdominal cavity. Less fre¬ 
quently the lower end of the cord is not attacked, and the swelling begins 
an inch or two above. At the point where the swelling is in contact with 
the skin, it is always attached to the base of the scrotum. 
The fistulous opening is small and funnel-shaped, and discharges a 
slight quantity of purulent fluid ; a probe can be passed 2 to 4 inches 
into it. 
Cadiot and Dollar (p. 40 of “ Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Surgery”) 
describe a case of deep-seated inguinal abscess after castration The condition 
simulated scirrhous cord. There was diffuse induration in the left inguinal 
region, extending over the abdomen beyond the sheath. The horse showed 
fever and was lame on the left leg, which was abducted during movement. 
Examination per rectum revealed a diffuse, rounded, smooth swelling, larger 
than a man s fist and about 4 inches thick, in theprepubic region, opposite the 
left inguinal ring, which was diagnosed as an abscess. The animal was cast, 
the inguinal canal examined, and a large abscess containing two quarts of pus 
was opened. By drainage and antiseptic dressing the abscess cavity closed 
so far that five weeks after operation the horse was able to return home. 
In another case described by the above writers (p. 408 loc . cit.) the 
growth, by pressing on the infero-lateral surface of the penis, caused 
difficulty in micturition. Extirpation was followed by recovery. 
Prognosis. As cure depends on complete excision, it is necessary 
to ascertain whether operation is possible, how far the cord is diseased, 
and then whether all diseased parts can be removed. Extension of 
