758 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
By L. A. and E. Merieuat, 
of the McKillip Veterinary College , Chicago , III. 
CASTRATION OF CRYPTORCHIDS. 
Cryptorchid is a term applied to mammalia that have one or 
both testicles hidden or concealed in some of the anatomical 
structures through which they pass on their descent to the scro¬ 
tum. During early foetal life the testicle floats around in the 
abdominal cavity, suspended from the sublumbar region by a 
fold of peritoneum and attached to the scrotum by a long cord 
(gubernaculum testes ), which guides it on its descent through 
the inguinal canal into the scrotum. In most mammalia it de¬ 
scends during intra-uterme life, but in some instances it may 
remain in the inguinal canal for some time after birth. In soli- 
peds it is not an uncommon thing to find this condition ( pseudo - 
cryptorchidism ) exist for a period of six months or a year after 
birth. The true cause which retards or arrests the testicle on 
its way to the scrotum has never been satisfactorily explained, 
and is a subject that does not come within the domain of sur¬ 
gery, but one that can be considered in embryology or terat¬ 
ology ; the location of the testicle, however, is of more impor¬ 
tance, because it gives rise to an important classification of 
cryptorchidism. The terms which are applied to the condition are 
enorchid, anorchid, cryptorchid and ridgling, the last being the 
one used by the layman. The origin of the word “ ridgling ” is 
uncertain, but may be considered as a modification of the word 
“ ridge If which is of Scottish origin. Anorchid is a term that 
has been improperly applied to the condition ; considering it 
etymologically it should be applied only to animals that have 
had one or both testicles removed. Hnorchid is more applic¬ 
able to the condition than either of the above mentioned terms ; 
cryptorchid is the one most generally used by the profession in 
referring to the condition. 
The classification of cryptorchids varies according to the ob¬ 
ject in view, they may be grouped according to the location, 
development and condition of the testicle. For our purpose we 
shall use the classification by which the location of the testicle 
is designated. Farmer Miles has numbered them from one to 
five ; the first three refer to the location, and the remaining two 
refer to pathological conditions of the testicle. The following 
classification of the cryptorchids is the one that we will use: 
