DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 213 



Instrument Co., Detroit, Michigan. It is an excellent article, 

 not requiring anything to hold it in position. The method of 

 adjusting is all that is necessary. With it the operation may 

 be made much neater as well as simpler to perform. 



2. Rupture (Ventral Hernia). 



This is a rupture anywhere in the rim of the belly, and 

 may vary from the size of a hen's egg to that of a man's 

 head, or larger. 



Causes. — It is the result of a bursting of the membrane 

 that forms a protection to the bowels and holds them in place. 

 It may be caused, as is generally the case, by an injury of 

 some kind such as a kick. Severe straining such as caused 

 by heavy pulling may cause it. 



Symptoms. — Hernia may be detected in the following 

 manner: Push the protruding portion back through the 

 opening in the rim of the belly. This opening may be felt 

 easily. If hernia, the bowel protrudes as before as soon as 

 the hand is removed. 



Treatment. — Various treatment has been tried — clamps, 

 cutting in and sewing up, etc. — but with little or no success. 

 Get as much work out of the animal as possible and allow 

 the rupture to remain as it is. 



3. Rupture in the Bag (Scrotal Hernia). 



A portion of the bowel and its fatty covering is forced 

 down into the scrotum along with the testicle. 



Causes. — Some colts are ruptured at birth and are never 

 cured. Running, jumping or any violent exercise may cause 

 it. It may also be the result of violent struggling at the time 

 of castration. 



Symptoms. — The scrotum has a swollen and enlarged 

 appearance. The protruding portion of the bowel can be 

 forced back into the opening, but when the hand is removed 

 falls back again into the same position. 



Treatment.— If in a colt that is not castrated, it may be 

 got rid of very easily while castrating him. To castrate and 

 fix the rupture at the same time, have the animal well pre- 

 pared by starving him a day or so before the operation ; then 

 throw and secure him, shove the bowel and fatty lining back 

 into the belly. Take the testicle in the left hand and at 



