DISEASES OF THE HORSE 59 



As a supplement to the food, we may give brown sugar 

 or treacle, both of w^hieh are easily digested and are very 

 nourishing. Four or five eggs daily will also aid in keep- 

 ing up the strength. 



NAVEL RUPTURE 

 (Umbilical Hernia) 



Cause: Hereditary predisposition is well marked in 

 this complaint. It may exist at birth, but so-called con- 

 genital rupture may very probably be the result of the 

 pulling which the navel-string underwent at the time of 

 foaling. However, umbilical hernia usually occurs during 

 the first two or three months after birth ; that is to say, 

 while the opening at the navel is becoming obliterated and 

 the tissues at that place are becoming consolidated. They 

 can, however, appear later and may result from more or 

 less violent strains sustained when the foals are jumping 

 or playing. At other times these strains are induced by 

 intestinal irritation accompanied by diarrhoea or consti- 

 pation with straining. But, however the strain may 

 take place, the abdominal muscles contract and push the 

 intestines towards the wall of the belly. Then if they 

 find an opening or even a weak spot, like the ring of the 

 navel while it is undergoing the process of becoming 

 blocked up, they select it and a rupture is produced. 



Symptoms: This rupture, the situation of which 

 clearly shows its character, may vary in size from that 

 of a hen's egg to that of an ostrich's egg. If pressed 

 upon with the hand, especially if the animal is placed on 

 its back, the rupture will disappear, to return, however, 

 when the pressure is removed. If it be composed of in- 

 testines it will be soft and elastic when the bowels are 

 empty, but when they are full of semi-solid food they 

 will be doughy. In any event, the tumor will feel elastic 

 when composed of intestines, but when formed of its con- 

 necting membranes, will naturally not vary in consist- 

 ence. If intestines be present, movements and ab- 

 dominal rumblings may be detected in it. This rupture 



