308 
M. JACOULET. 
The form is at times very hard to positively make out, air 
it may be difficult to say whether it is abdominal or inguinal 
At any rate while it is better to make it out if possible, it is no 
indispensable, as in botli cases the first stage of the operatioi 
(incision of the scrotum and dartos, with laceration of tin 
cellular tissue underneath) are the same, and when they an 
completed, the position of the organ is then very easily ascer 
tained. 
Unless the case requires it, it is prudent to wait until the cryp 
torchid has reached his third year before operating; earlier tha: 
that age it is to be feared than the introduction of the hand ir 
the inguinal tract may be dangerous on account of the incomplete 
development of the parts. And again, sooner than that one 
would lose the possible advantage of a later spontaneous desceni 
of the organ. After adult age, animals can be operated upor 
without inconvenience, even at an advanced age. 
The influence of the season of the year is neither more nor less 
an indifferent consideration than in any other equally serioir 
operation of the same nature. Spring and fall are the best time tc 
do it. Of course, the animal should be in good health and 
properly prepared. 
This preparation consists in a relaxing mode of feeding foi 
six or eight days in order to empty the digestive canal as com 
pletely as possible, and avoid the danger of a too severe febrile 
reaction. 
Mr. Degive suggests a daily administration for eight days ol 
one ounce of tinct. of arnica, in a single dose in the morning in 
about a pint of cold water. To this he attributes the frequent 
and often complete absence of fever after the surgical manipula¬ 
tions. 
Like Mr. Degive, the author, before his first operations, em¬ 
ployed tinct. of arnica, but since abandoning its use he has ob¬ 
tained equally good results. 
The animal with an empty stomach is thrown down, in pref¬ 
erence, on the side opposite to that on which the cryptorchidy 
exists, and the corresponding posterior leg is fixed as for ordi¬ 
nary castration. The patient must be in the dorsal position as 
