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ruptiire should not be confounded with hydrocele, or water in the 

 scrotal sac. (See Dropsy.) 



(3.) Congenital Rupture. — This is a species of rupture ob- 

 served at the birth of the foal or colt, and is the least dangerous of 

 all the varieties of ruptures, although the rupture continues to 

 grow and increase in size until the fourth to the six month of the 

 colt's age, and then gradually and progressively disappears alto- 

 gether, If, however, it should not at the end of that time diminish 

 in size and volume, a tolerably stout and tight collar or bandage 

 may be placed around the bod}^ covering the rupture. This band 

 should be kept in place by a broad collar or cloth attached to each 

 side of the body bandage, and passing in front of the breast, with 

 another around the back parts of the hips — thus preventing a 

 backward or forward movement of the body bandage. 



If rupture should occur in a few days after the birth of the colt, 

 it should, to all intents and purposes, be classed as congenital 

 rupture, and be treated accordingly. 



Congenital rupture is the same as what is called by some writers 

 umbilical rupture, which is correct as far as it goes ; but congenital 

 rupture includes not only the navel, but the scrotal also. The 

 navel variety can be most successfully treated by letting it alone ; 

 or, in some cases, by the application of a bandage. When, how- 

 ever, in the scrotum, castration is the only cure, and a bandage in 

 this case would not only be useless, but hurtful to the colt. 



(4.) Ventral Rupture. — This is, when the bowel produces 

 through any part of the belly, excepting at the unbilicus or navel, 

 or any natural opening, and is generally the result of injury or 

 accident, as from a hook from the horn of a cow, or the kick of a 

 horse. The common place where this kind of rupture is usually 

 seen, is on the lower portion of the belly, between the ribs and at 

 the flanks. 



Symptoms. A large, puffy swelling which can be lessened in size 

 and forced into the cavit}^ of the belly again, by merel}^ pressing 

 against it. The skin will be loose when the bow^el is thus pushed 

 in ; and when the pressure has ceased, the enlargement or swelling 

 returns at once, and fills up the loose skin. 



Treatment. In most cases, let the enlargement alone ; as, in 

 nearly all instances, no inconvenience from it will be experienced 



