PECULIAK TO HORSES. 59 



umbilical region ; the sac sometimes acquires magnitude so as to 

 ])resent an '• eye sore," or iinsightly apj)earance, which very fre- 

 quently iiiipuirs the value and usefulness of the animal. 



In former days a very barbarous operation was occasionally per- 

 formed for the removal of the enlargement, which was performed 

 in the following manner: the animal, after being oast, was placed on 

 his back ; in this position the bowel generally receded into the abdom- 

 inal cavity, then three or four skewers were inserted through the 

 walls of the loose skin, and then ligatures were applied. This inter- 

 rupted the circulation of blood through the parts, and the superfluous 

 skin sloughed off, at the same time the internal parts cf the sac 

 united, and in this way the " eye sore" was sometimes got rid of; 

 )Ut unfortunately death often ensued, either as the result of perito- 

 nitis, or of locked jaw. 



The safest mode of treatment now adopted, is that of continuous 

 pressure : 



" It consists of a common girth, properly shaped to the body, 

 having a stiff piece of oval-shaped leather introduced inferiorly, to 

 come in contact with the rupture. This should be buckled on mod- 

 erately tight, and retained in its situation as follows : place a common * 

 collar on the animal's neck, to which three straps are attached, one 

 on each side and the other at the brisket. Two pieces of webbing 

 should be attached to the main girth with buckles at the opposite 

 end, to meet the side straps, and a piece of leather, instead of web- 

 bing, to meet the brisket one. This latter should be forked or split, 

 part of the way, so as to admit of its being attached to the oval 

 piece of leather covering the rupture. These are then to be buckled 

 to the straps coming from the collar, by which means the girth is 

 held in its proper position. Over the whole a common surcingle may 

 be placed, just behind the elbows, (the usual girthing place,) in order 

 to keep the whole snug and close to the body. 



" The animal, thus harnessed, should be turned into a loose box and 

 fed well, the object being to force the system as much as possible. 

 The best time for applying the truss is when the animal is taken from 

 the mare. In a general way, about three months' wear of the truss 

 will be found sufficient to effect a cure. The modus operandi appears 

 to be this : pressure keeps the bowels within the abdomen, thereby 

 giving the aperture an opportunity of closing, which in many cases 

 it will do most completely. But even should it not, you may depend 

 upon its not getting larger. The bowel, from the general develop- 

 ment going on in the system, hastened by the good keep, will soon 

 do so, i. e., get larger, and consequently will not dip into the same 

 opening, even should it remain. Partial or complete adhesion of the 

 sides of the sac will take place, followed by an entire removal of the 

 unsightly pendulous bag, with its contents, which constituted the 

 disease." 



LYMPHATITIS. 



Prelimixakt. — Lymphatitis is a disease known to occur among 

 horses of the lymphatic temperament, affecting the superficial lym- 

 phatics of the hind extremities ; causing swelling, heat and tender- 



