CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHIDS. 
307 
ginning of the migration of the testicular apparatus. Ordinar- 
, the testicle has entered the inguinal interstice, pushing the 
ritoneum before itself; which thus forms its vaginal sheath, 
d carrying the epididymis and efferent canal. Some cause has 
;erfered with its entire descent and it has stopped before 
idling the external inguinal ring, or partly engaged in it, more 
fiom after going beyond it. In some cases, the epididymis and 
e efferent canal alone have come down in the vaginal sheath, 
lile the testicle has been retained higher up in the interstice, or 
en in the abdomen. 
The testicles which are in the inguinal canal, exceptionally 
rger than those remaining in the abdomen, are generally, like 
ose, small and soft. They are always surrounded by a 
ginal sheath which becomes more and more nearly complete 
cording to the degree of their descent. 
They may be felt by scrotal examination, whether the animal 
on his feet or lying down. But, in many cases, it is impossible 
feel them. However, so long as there is a beginning of 
igration, after dividing the scrotum and dartos, and introduc- 
g the hand in the opening formed by the external inguinal 
ng, the fingers will always be able to secure the testicle or the 
)ididymis, whether one or the other is engaged in the inguinal 
inal. Indeed, migration takes place toward the internal angle 
: the interstice, that is, when its depth is not more than from 5 
> 7 centimeters, and the atrophied testicle or its epididymis 
no more than 3 or 4 centimeters in diameter. When the 
isticles have passed the external inguinal ring, without being 
sible externally, they are as large and firm as the normal testicles 
anging in the envelopes, and then, there is really no cryp- 
>rchidy. 
General considerations relative to the indications of the 
PERATION AND ITS CHANCES OF SUCCESS-PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN. 
-Preparation of the subject. 
Before beginning the castration of a crvptorchid horse, it is 
idespensable to ascertain the seat of the abnomity (if right, left 
r double) and as much as possible its form, whether abdominal 
r inguinal. 
