INFLAMMATION OP THE KIDNEYS. 91 



HERNIA, OR RUPTURE. 



This consists of a portion of the intestine being protruded 

 from the abdominal cavity, either th^-ongh a natural open- 

 ing or through one caused by disease. In many cases the 

 intestine may be returned into the cavity, but it seldom is 

 an effectual cure, in consequence of the impossibility of 

 applying a truss to keep it up. There are other instances 

 where, the gut having passed through the inquinal ring and 

 protruded into the scrotum of the entire horse, or in the 

 groin of the gelding, which may in time become so narrow 

 as not to admit of the gut being again returned, in conse- 

 quence of becoming thickened and the protruded portion 

 being filled with the dung. This is called strangulated 

 hernia ; and can only be successfully treated by a veteri- 

 nary surgeon, and should on no account be attempted bv 

 any other, especially an uneducated person. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 



Symptoms. — This complaint is usually preceded by fever ; 

 and when completely formed, the horse stands with his hind 

 legs wide apart, and has an awkward gait in his walk. He 

 withdraws from the pressure of the hand on the loins, which 

 also indicate an undue heat, considerably above that in the 

 natural condition. When turning with moderate quick- 

 ness, he feels pain, and looks wistfully back at his flanks ; 

 a suppression of the action of the urinary organs takes 

 place, and is followed by a difficulty in voiding urine, 

 which comes off in small quantities, and is generally high 

 coloured, and not unfrequently mixed with blood. Strong 

 efforts are made by the horse to discharge it in larger 

 portions, but at length it is almost quite suppressed. Hence 



