Treatment of the Strangulated Hernia. 33 



a director, he enlarged the ring sufficiently to return the 

 sac and its contents, without opening it. This was the 

 only difficult part of the operation, as the sac, being much 

 distended, some of it came back several times. A few 

 stitches with a needle and thread were taken to close the 

 integuments, and a compress and bandage applied over 

 them. 



There was no stricture at the ring, as is sometimes 

 the case ; for Dr. M'Lane and myself got our fingers 

 easily through, before the enlargement. The patient was 

 instantly relieved, after the prolapsed parts were returned, 

 and while he lay on the table, before the incision was 

 sowed up, said, emptiness and hunger gave most pain. 



He rested well that night. On the next day, there 

 was a puffy swelling about the groin and scrotum, some 

 tightness around the abdomen, which were removed by 

 mild injections, and hardened faces brought away. The 

 edges of the wound sepai-ated but little, and a good 

 suppuration succeeded, the inner parts adhering as was 

 wished. He had a slight fever for two or three days, 

 after which his appetite became greater than could be 

 ijidulged, and before a week expired from the operation, 

 he only complained of confinement to his bed. He re- 

 turned, before the end of the month, to the farm, and 

 was able to do service. 



The success of this operation, under the most unfa- 

 vourable circumstances, has induced mc to report it, 

 with the following queries to the gentlemen of the pro- 

 fession. 



VOL. II. PART II. E 



