Ruptures 179 



Scrotal Hernia 



A scrotal hernia is one in which a loop of the 

 intestine descends into the scrotum alongside a tes- 

 ticle. It occurs frequently in foals, usually being 

 present when the colt is foaled. A scrotal hernia can 

 be recognized by the presence of a large, soft mass 

 in the scrotum, that can be pushed up into the abdom- 

 inal cavity. By pinching the colt's throat, and at 

 the same time watching the hernia, it will be seen to 

 jump up as the colt coughs. 



In a majority of cases in little colts no treatment 

 is needed for scrotal hernia, as the animal will outgrow 

 the difficulty. In bad and persistent cases, the hernia 

 should be returned and the colt castrated by the cov- 

 ered operation, described under castration. (Page 186.) 



CUSTOMARY SURGICAL PRACTICES 



Under this head are included such familiar opera- 

 tions as removing appendages and preventing the 

 breeding of animals. With most of them every 

 progressive farmer is now familiar. 



Dehorning 



Dehorning consists in the removal of the horns by 

 some surgical method, or by the application to the 

 budding horns of calves of some substance that will 

 prevent their growth. It is better to remove or pre- 

 vent the growth of horns in calves than to wait until 

 the animals have attained their growth. In domestic 



