186 THE VETEEINAEIAN 



RUPTURE 

 (Scrotal or Inguinal) 



Definition: In the male the intestines pass through 

 the wide Inguinal Ganal, through which the cord of the 

 testicle passes. It is not difficult to recognize this form 

 of rupture, as the scrotum that normally retains only 

 the testicles is usually enlarged by the bowels en- 

 tering it. Sometimes the scrotum almost reaches the 

 ground, and in this case, both sides of the scrotum, or 

 the sack which contains the testicles, also contains intes- 

 tines. If the pig is held up by the hind parts, the in- 

 testines will gravitate back into the abdominal cavity, 

 but as soon as a pig lies down or stands they again return 

 into the scrotum. The testicles can be located at the 

 bottom of the enlargement. 



Cause : Hereditary tendencies predisposes them to 

 rupture; pigs having large Inguinal Canals through 

 which the testicle passes; by pigs being crowded, in- 

 jured, squeezed at troughs, or passing through narrow 

 doorways. Weakness and severe straining from consti- 

 pation also produce rupture. 



Symptoms: An enlargement of the sack containing 

 the testicles. Sometimes there may be a strangulation 

 of the intestines where they fold or twist. They be- 

 come inflamed and produce death. The pig dies in great 

 pain, but fortunately, strangulated ruptures in pigs are 

 very rare, as the scrotum and canal which the intestines 

 occupy relax and become very roomy. 



Treatment: Operation is the only method of reliev- 

 ing or curing Inguinal or Scrotal Eupture. My advice 

 is to operate as soon as possible. "When the pigs are 

 small, there is less danger. The pig to be operated on 

 should be fasted for at least twenty-four hours, as it is 

 easier on both the operator and pig when the intestines 

 are empty, or nearly so. 



The operation which I have found to be very success- 



