58 THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Careful regulation of food, work, and rest diminish the 

 chances of relapses. (For doses, see pages 13 to 29.) 



HERNIA (RUPTURE), 



Is a tumor or enlargement in any part of the body, 

 caused by the protrusion, by rupture, of a viscus or part 

 through its natural cavity. When the part can be re- 

 turned to its proper cavity, the hernia is called ' reduci- 

 ble;' when it cannot, it is 'irreducible;' when it in- 

 terferes with the circulation, it is 'strangulated.' The 

 kind or name of the hernia depends on the part affected. 

 The most common and important kind is 



INGUINAL (GROIN) AND SCROTAL HERNIA. 



It occurs in stallions, but is rare in geldings. It is 

 comparatively rare in this country and England, but in 

 France, Germany, India, Arabia, &c, where castration is 

 but little practiced, it is common. The causes are over- 

 straining of any kind, kicks, &c, but the latter is very 

 rare. It rarely exists on both sides at once. It is peculiar 

 to the right. Sometimes it is imperceptible, the small 

 intestines, which are the cause of it, not protruding fur- 

 ther than the inguinal canal. In this case feel for them.* 

 When the intestines descend to the scrotum, the hernia 

 is called ' scrotal hernia.' Castration is necessary to a 

 permanent cure. 



When the hernia is imperceptible, the following are the 



Symptoms. — Indisposition to work; head erected; ap- 

 petite impaired ; pain succeeding, animal breathes deeply, 

 paws, and assumes various postures for relief. Sometimes 

 the horse seems to be suffering from fatigue ; at length 

 pulse becomes thready ; eyes reddened and pupils dilated ; 

 inflammation causes slight colic. 



The symptoms of scrotal hernia are very distinct, but 

 as the disorder is visible and the services of a surgeon 

 are necessary, a description of them is superfluous.. A 



