REPORTS OF CASES. 
27 
siderably enlarged, but when seen through the enlargement, 
though the testicle was much increased in size, it seemed other¬ 
wise to be normal. The spermatic cord was also the seat of 
swelling. It was not a case of hydrocele. To decide as to the 
diagnosis of hernia, rectal examination was made. When the 
hand was introduced into the rectum, it was brought in con- 
tact with a large mass, hard and immovable, not painful, situated 
just over the left inguinal ring. The nature of this large 
neoplasm could scarcely be made out, though it was probably a 
sarcomatous growth, and its presence was sufficient to account for 
all the symptoms exhibited by the patient. Examined by a num¬ 
ber of veterinarians, and advice having been obtained as to the 
proper treatment to institute, the only conclusion reached was 
that the removal of the tumor was the only indication presented, 
\ 
with a very faint chance of recovery. 
The owner being notified of this state of affairs, it was decided 
to make an attempt to remove the mass, with a proviso to destroy 
the horse at once, if the operation should prove impracticable, or 
recovery impossible. 
To this effect, the horse was on the 9th of February prepared 
for the operation. The animal having^ been thrown down on his 
right side, and brought completely under the influence of ether, 
Dr. Liautard, assisted by Drs. Robertson, Lockhart, Johnson, 
Bell, Dixon, and several others, proceeded to the removal of 
the growth. 
An incision was made on the left flank, about twelve inches 
in length, starting a little in front of Poupart’s ligament, and on 
one side of the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle, 
and the skin, with the fibres of the abdominal muscles, was 
carefully divided. This was unaccompanied by hemorrhage. 
The peritoneum being exposed and carefully opened, the hand 
introduced into the abdominal cavity came directly in contact 
with the tumor, and then only could a correct appreciation of its 
dimensions be obtained. 
In preparing for the operation, various means had been pro¬ 
vided to facilitate the amputation, which was to be made with the 
ecraseur. Various instruments of that nature had been prepared. 
