THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 247 



at stool. If he is flatulent, a rumbling sensation may be 

 felt in it. 



TREATMENT. The patient should place himself on his 

 back, with his head and shoulders a little elevated, draw 

 up his knees to his belly, and (if in this position the parts 

 do not return of themselves,) endeavor to push or knead 

 them up into the belly, through the opening at which they 

 come out, and which, if the tumor be in the groin or bag, 

 is an oval ring or slit in the groin, at the precise spot 

 where the swelling first appeared. When this is effected, 

 he should remain quiet till a truss can be procured, the 

 spring of which must be passed round his body, the pad 

 be applied directly over the spot just mentioned, and held 

 there with one hand, while the other passes the strap into 

 the buckle and draws it sufficiently tight. Having done 

 this, he should get up and walk about. If the swelling 

 no longer appears, the truss is properly applied ; if other- 

 wise, take it off, return the parts as before, and apply it 

 again ; when, if on rising, walking about, slightly cough- 

 ing, etc., the parts are found to be well kept up, he may 

 resume his ordinary business. The truss should be worn 

 night and day, as long as he lives. 



IRREDUCIBLE RUPTURES. 



SYMPTOMS. A rupture in which there is no pain, yet 

 that cannot be returned into the belly, caused by an in- 

 creased bulk of the parts, or their having formed adhe- 

 sions, or grown fast to adjoining parts. 



TREATMENT. A rupture thus situated must be left to 

 itself. The patient should be extremely cautious in his 

 diet, and in avoiding costiveness, by the use of clysters, 

 or if necessary, laxative medicines. He should also be 

 very careful to protect the tumor from blows, always re- 

 collecting that it is in danger of strangulation. 



