320 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



particular rises and falls. Unless relief is afforded inflammation attacks 

 the extruded parts, the pain becomes more severe and persistent, the 

 scrotum and Hank are bedewed with perspiration, the pulse is increased 

 in frequency, and the breathing becomes quick and panting. 



The occurrence of some or all of these symptoms in a stallion should 

 always excite suspicion, and no time should be lost in the application 

 of appropriate means of diagnosis. If inguinal hernia exists, the spermatic 

 cord by which the testicle is suspended will be found to be more or less 

 swollen, but the most reliable indication of the disease is afforded by 

 passing the greased hand well into the rectum. If, when this has been 

 done, the hand is directed downward and outward, it will be brought 

 into contact with the internal abdominal ring, where, if present, the 

 imprisoned gut will be felt. 



Treatment. — From the previous remarks it will lie gathered that the 

 treatment in inguinal hernia is not necessarily required save when the 

 hernia is strangulated, or the operation of castration is to be performed. 

 Before resorting to extreme measures, it is always desirable to attempt to 

 extricate the bowel from its abnormal position by ordinary manipulation, in 

 which case the rectum is first emptied of its fecal contents, and then the 

 hand, having been well anointed with vaseline or oil, is introduced into 

 it and carried as directed above to the internal abdominal ring. By a little 

 careful traction on the imprisoned gut it may sometimes be liberated with- 

 out further trouble. If it cannot be done so, the horse must lie cast 

 and put -under the restraining influence of chloroform. In this condition 

 he is placed on his back, the hind-quarters are raised by underpacking with 

 straw, and the hind-leg on the side of the hernia is drawn slightly forward 

 and away from the body. In this position the food contents of the dis- 

 placed gut are encouraged to return into the more depending part of the 

 bowel, and by reducing the volume of the hernia its withdrawal from the 

 inguinal canal is facilitated. One hand should now be introduced into the 

 rectum and gentle traction again made on the imprisoned bowel. At 

 the same time an assistant will appose the palm of his hand or hands to 

 the hernia, and while applying gentle downward pressure to the base, will 

 carefully manipulate the neck with the fingers in such a way as to cause 

 the food and gas confined within it to pass out, and by still further re- 

 ducing the size of the imprisoned mass hasten its return. 



Promise of success will be indicated if the enlargement diminishes 

 in size and the bowel shows a disposition to yield to the traction from 

 within. If, however, no change is perceptible in these respects after 

 reasonable effort, the attempt should cease until the imprisoned gut has 

 been released by surgical operation. 



