SURGICAL AFFECTIONS. 201 



Umbilical Hernia. 



Umbilical hernia is a rupture, or unnatural protrusion of the viscera at 

 the navel. The affection is more common among puppies, but may appear 

 at any period of life. When occurring in older dogs it is more often met 

 with in bitches, resulting from large litters and frequent pregnancies. 



Various methods of treatment have been suggested, but bandages and 

 other attachments cannot be depended upon, and a surgical operation 

 alone promises certain success. 



Mr. Lowe has proposed a method to produce a radical cure of this affec- 

 tion, which is commended as simple, comparatively safe, and easy to 

 perform. He describes the operation as follows :— 



" The instruments absolutely needed are a thin, clean, sharp knife, a 

 curved surgeon's needle and silk; also, a little iodoform, and some carbo- 

 lized water. The two latter act as antiseptics, and fill the places of the 

 carbolic spray fairly well. After the patient has been thoroughly etherized, 

 wet the fingers, knife, and needle in the carbolized water, and make a lon- 

 gitudinal cut through the skin down to the sac, but do not injure it. Then 

 push back the parts, and with the knife freshen the edges of the muscle; 

 now after taking two stitches (more if the opening is huge) directly over 

 the sac, draw the edges together, and cut the silk close ; sprinkle in a little 

 iodoform, draw the skin together with a stitch or two, and the work is 

 done. If the puppies are as vigorous as those I have operated upon, it 

 will probably be found next morning that the external stitches are out, 

 and also the skin so swollen that the little fellow has been unable to reach 

 the deep stitches, the all important point. 



" Keep the puppy in a warm, clean place, but if any dirt should get in 

 wash it out with warm water and castile soap, and sprinkle on a little 

 more iodoform. 



" But now about the deep stitches which have been allowed to remain in 

 the muscle. Let them alone, for they cause no trouble as they become in- 

 cysted. In two weeks the cure should be complete, and no scar, or at 

 least, a very trifling one remains." 



S<Pft£IJYS. 



Sprains are of frequent occurrence among dogs, and often demand care- 

 ful treatment. When severe they are attended with acute pain, heat, and 

 swelling; with subsequent weakness and stiffness. When a large joint is 

 affected there is often considerable constitutional disturbance, fever, 

 rapid pulse, etc. 



