CRYPTORCHID CASTRATION. 
579 
appearing under the finger. It must be remembered that the in¬ 
ternal abdominal ring is rudimentary in the cryptorchid, espe¬ 
cially in those cases where the spermatic cord and the testicle are 
both retained in the abdominal cavity. In those cases where the 
spermatic cord has descended through the inguinal canal the ring 
is more developed and sometimes complete. The operator must 
not attempt to break through at this point, but must pass the 
fingers backwards and downwards to a point about one inch from 
the ring or depression, then by doubling the fingers at an angle 
of about forty-five degrees, thus bringing the point of the 
finger nail in contact with the aponeurosis of the obliquos and ex- 
ternus muscle; by a few short movements sidewise the fingers 
will pierce the aponeurosis and enter the abdominal cavity. Oc¬ 
casionally when the fing*er passes through the aponeurosis it does 
not pierce the peritoneum, but the latter seems to float or push 
ahead of the finger; in this event some trouble is experienced in 
piercing the peritoneum, and nothing can be done in the way of 
locating the spermatic cord until your finger has pierced the 
peritoneum. Usually the better way to do this is to grasp a fold 
of peritoneum with the end of the finger, gently pulling it through 
the opening in the aponeurosis; this usually tears a hole which 
the operator can easily find and he is then ready to locate the 
spermatic cord. This is best done by moving the finger around 
the opening very slowly, keeping the palm of the finger pressed 
against the peritoneum. By the sense of feeling the operator will 
know when the finger has touched any part of the cord. If the 
finger comes in contact with the spermatic artery it will be 
known by its peculiar doubled condition. On the other hand, if 
the finger comes in contact with the vas deferens it will be known 
by its smooth feeling and dense cordy condition. When either 
of these structures are touched, move the finger away from the 
abdominal wall sufficiently to grasp the structure and press it 
against the abdominal wall, where it may be felt more plainly 
and its true character more definitely determined. When satis¬ 
fied that you have found any part of the spermatic cord, draw it 
through the opening and by careful manipulation of the fingers 
