250 
TRIANON. 
ETIOLOGY OF SCIRRHOUS CORD, FISTULA AND ABSCESS OF 
THE SCROTUM. 
“CHAMPIGNON,” (. Fr .); “ SAMENSTRAUGWUCHERUNG UND SAM- 
ENSTRAUFISTEL ” (Ger.)-, AND PROPHYLAXIS OF THE SAME. 
By “ Trianon.” 
(In competition for Prize of the United States Veterinary Medical Association.) 
Although only a tyro in the veterinary profession, I have 
often been confused by the conflicting theories of the various 
authors on the above named subjects. 
Prof. Williams, in his “ Principles and Practice of Veterinary 
Surgery,” (chapter on “ Castration,” page 649), says: “ Scirrhus 
of the cord arises from castration with the caustic clam, when 
the operator has neglected, while removing the clams, to separate 
the adhesions which always take place between the cord and the 
lips of the wound ; from castration with the actual cautery, when 
the cord has been left too long, or when the cremaster muscle has 
suffered from some debility, and the extremity of the cord has 
remained in contact with the wounded scrotum, or has slightly 
protruded beyond the opening; and in order to prevent scirrhus 
of the cord, it is necessary when the operation is performed by 
the clam, that the operator should introduce his finger into the 
wound and gently separate the cord from the scrotum by tearing 
the adhesions asunder and pushing the cord upwards toward the 
abdominal ring.” 
In reference to chronic suppuration, or fistula of the scrotum, 
Prof. Williams says : 
“ I have frequently met with cases of a chronic induration of 
the cord, seemingly arising from the same cause as champignon, 
namely, adhesion to the scrotal wounds, in geldings of various 
ages. In such the cord is hard, and enlarged within the scrotum, 
and from time to time suppuration occurs within its substance ; 
abscesses form and discharge an unhealthy purulent matter. The 
formation of these abscesses occurs periodically, and may be in¬ 
duced by very trivial exciting causes, such as a common cold or a 
