RUPTURES. 191 



ceased, the enlargement or swelling returns at once, and 

 fills up the loose skin. 



Treatment. In most cases, let the enlargement alone ; 

 as, in nearly all instances, no inconvenience from it will be 

 experienced by the horse. The only w^ay to reduce such a 

 rupture is, by gathering and holding the loose skin, and 

 covering the rupture after the bowel has been pushed into 

 its place by means of long clamps, like a long vise, till the 

 skin falls off. This cure is worse than the affection it is 

 intended to remedy ; for by breaking the skin the bowels 

 are exposed to the air and the uncertainty of the edges of 

 the skin uniting firmly together. This is frequently, also, 

 more than can be expected, as the horse is not a rational 

 being, and cannot be told to stand this or that way, in this 

 or that position. If he experiences any pain, he Avill 

 become restless, and lay down, and roll ; and then what of 

 the nicely adjusted clamps? In short, the horse will die 

 in a few hours. 



(5.) Rupture. — Of Castration. This variety of rupture 

 sometimes follows immediately, or a few days, after the 

 operation of castration. 



Causes. When the rupture occurs as soon as the horse 

 rises from the operation, it is produced by the violence of 

 the struggling, or rising with too much of a jerk. When 

 occurring a few days after the operation, the cause may be 

 laid to the Avound not healing and uniting properly. 



Symptoms. As in colic; the horse rising, lying down, 

 pawing, rolling, sweating ; high fever and inflammation ; 

 and, finally, gangrene, or mortification of the parts, and 

 death of the horse. 



General Remarks. The termination of ruptures of all 

 kinds and varieties most to be dreaded, is that condition 

 known as strangulation, which occurrence is indicated by 



