DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGAXS. 83 



not cause the least iiiieasiuess or distress. Ti\ couisi' of time, howe\ei-. 

 the imprisoned gut becomes filled ^^ith feces, its return into the id»- 

 dominal cavity is prevented, and it l)ecomes strangulateil. While 

 the gut is thus fillinjij the horse often appt'ais dull, is disinelined to 

 move, appetite is impaired, and there is rumhling and ohstruction of 

 the bowels. Colicky symptoms now supervene. Strangulation and 

 its consequent train of symi)toms do not always follow in sciotal 

 hernia, for often horses have this ctmdition for years without sutler- 

 ing inconvenience. 



Inguinal hernia is but an incomi)lete scrotal hernia, and, like the 

 latter, may exist and cause no signs of distress, or, again, it may 

 become strangulated and cause death. Inguinal hernia is seen mostly 

 in stallions, next in geldings, and very rarely in the mare. Bearing 

 in mind that scrotal hernia is seen only in entire horses, we may 

 proceed to detail the symptoms of strangulated, inguinal, and scrotal 

 hernia at the same time. When, during the existence of colicky 

 sj'inptoms. we find a horse kicking with his hind feet while standing 

 or lying upon his back, we should look to the inguinal region and 

 scrotum. If scrotal hernia exists, the scrotum will be enlarged and 

 lobulated: by pressure we may force a portion of the contents of the 

 gut back into the abdomen, eliciting a gurgling sound. If we take 

 a gentle but firm hold upon the enlarged scrotum and then have an 

 assistant cause the horse to cough, the swelling will be felt to expand 

 and as quickly contract again. 



The history of these cases will materially aid us, as the owner can 

 often assure us of preceding attacks of "colic." more or less severe, 

 that have been instantaneously relieved in some (to him) unaccount- 

 able manner. The colicky symptoms of these hernias are not diag- 

 nostic, but. probably, more clo.sely resemble tho.se of enteritis than 

 any other bowel diseases. In many cases the diagnosis can be made 

 only by a veterinarian, when he has recourse to a rectal examination; 

 the bowels can heie be felt entering the inteinal abdominal ring. 



Trcatnu nf of hifnnnaJ hernia. — If the reader is sure of the exist- 

 ence of hernia, he should secuie the hor.se upon its back, and. with 

 a hand in the rectum, endeavor to catch hold of the wandering bowel 

 and pull it gently ba«k into the cavity of the abd()men. l*re.ssure 

 should be made upon the scrotum during this time. If this fails, a 

 veterinarian mu.st be called to reduce the heinia by means of incising 

 the inguinal ring, reida'.-ing the intestines. ;«nd to castrate, using 

 clamps and performing the "covered operation." 



Ventral hernia. — In this form of hernia the protrusion is through 

 some accidental opening or rupture of the abdominal wall. It may 

 occur at any part of the belly e.xcept at the ujubilicus, and is cau.sed 

 by kicks, blows, hooks, severe jumping or |)ulling. etc. Ventral 



