^384 — 



by the horse. The only way to reduce such a rupture is, by gath- 

 ering and holding the loose skin, and covering the rupture after 

 the bowel has been pushed into its place by means of long clamps-, 

 like a long vise, till the skin falls off. This cure is worse than the 

 affection it is intended to remedy ; for by breaking the skin the 

 bowels are exposed to the air and the uncertaint}' of the edges of 

 the skin uniting firmly together. This is frequenth^ also, more 

 than can be expected, as the horse is not a rational being, and 

 cannot be told to stand this or that way, in this or that position. 

 If he experiences any pain, he will become restless, and lie down, 

 and roll ; and then what of the nicely adjusted clamps ? In short, 

 the horse will die in a few hours. 



(5.) Rupture. — Of Castration. This variety of rupture some- 

 times follows immediately, or a few days, after the operation of 

 castration. 



Causes. When the rupture occurs as soon as the horse rises 

 from the operation, it is produced by the violence of the strug- 

 gling, or rising with too much of a jerk. When occurring a few 

 days after the operation, the cause may be laid to the w'ound not 

 healing and uniting properly. 



Symptoms. As in colic ; the horse rising, lying down, pawing, 

 rolling, sweating ; high fever and inflammation ; and finally, gan^ 

 grene, or mortification of the parts, and death of the horse. 



General Remarks. The termination of ruptures of all kinds and 

 varieties most to be dreaded, is that condition known as strangu- 

 lation, which occurrence is indicated by the pawing, rolling, 

 sweating, and restive condition of the horse, etc. If not relieved 

 in a very short time, he will die. To reduce strangulation, he 

 must be secured, and fastened ; and all conceivable ingenuity must 

 be exercised to get the bow^els back into their proper place. No 

 rule can be laid down to accomplish this, as some ruptures are re- 

 ducible, and others are not. But the hands of the operator must 

 be well oiled when handling the bowels, and the bowels kept 

 scrupulously clean ; and when they have been successfully placed 

 into their proper cavity, the horse will be at rest, and relieved from 

 pain. To prevent the bowels from returning again, the rupture 

 must be closed by skewers made of iron, or stiff wood, passed 

 through the lips of each side of the wound, half an inch from the 



