AS TO SOUNDNESS. 107 



find them, but they are mostly umbilical or ventral — • 

 scrotal hernia being seldom met with on account of the 

 custom of castrating the horse in this country. Umbilical 

 and ventral herniae are objectionable, — 



1. From their unsightly appearance. 



2. From the bowel being more exposed to external 

 injury. 



3. From their liabihty to become strangulated. 



If they are of large size their appearance is highly objec- 

 tionable; but in any case you will do well to reduce 

 them and notice 



1 . The size of the aperture, and 



2. Its situation. 



If the appearance of the hernia is no objection to the 

 purchaser you ascertain how much danger there is of 

 strangulation by the size and situation of the aperture. 

 If there be a large aperture, larger than a half-crown 

 piece, and it be placed in the centre of the hernial 

 tumour, the chances of its ever becoming strangulated are 

 very remote indeed, but on the other hand these con- 

 ditions are favourable to its becoming larger. If the 

 aperture be small and not in the centre of the hernial 

 tumour, the risk of strangulation is somewhat greater, whilst 

 the chance of its getting larger is less. Should the hernia 

 be irreducible this is another great objection. Scrotal 

 hernia will claim your attention when examining entire 

 horses. If you find one, on no account should you pass 

 the horse. Should you have scrotal enlargemient you will 

 have to determine whether it is hernia or hydrocele. If 



