DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 163 



tries to lie upon the back ; the pulse becomes quicker and quicker, and if 

 you have a case where such symptoms are prolonged, it is good practice 

 to look for hernia. 



Treatment. — So long as inguinal hernia does not interfere with the 

 animal, it is just as well to let it alone, but if it becomes strangulated, 

 you may be able to reduce it by manipulating the parts, or you may have 

 to perform by throwing the animal and elevating the hind quarters, 

 extending the limbs to a certain extent, and insert the hand into the 

 rectum, and by traction upon the bowels, and manipulation externally 

 you may be able to reduce it. This operation is called the taxis. If 

 this does not succeed, then cut down upon the hernia as close to the ring 

 as possible, then make an incision into the hernial sack, and then reduce 

 it and keep the animal quiet, and if you are able to return it in proper 

 time the irritation will soon disapjDear. 



Scrotal Hernia is easily detected. When the hernia is composed of 

 intestines, it is called interocele ; if it consists of the omentum, it is called 

 epiplocele. The omentum usually does little harm. If it is the intes- 

 tines, they are apt to be distended with gas, and it will give way to 

 pressure ; if it is omentum, it is some harder, and does not give way as 

 if it were gas, and may be mistaken for scirrhouscord or hydrocele, or a 

 varicose condition of some of the veins. If there is no ii-ritation, the 

 animal does not suffer much. If the bowels are full, the feces pass down 

 and enlarge the hernia to some extent, and it is smaller when the animal 

 has been fasting. Cold contracts the tissues and so lessens the hernia ; 

 heat relaxes and enlarges it. It may be as small as two or three fingers, 

 or as large as a man's hand, or even extend more than half way down 

 to the hock. 



Treatment. — If you are consulted about a valuable stallion, six, eight 

 or nine years old, it is generally best to leave such a case alone, unless 

 there are signs of irritation. "Let sleeping dogs lie." It may exist for 

 years and do no harm, if the animal has good care and proper food ; but 

 if it attains considerable size in a horse not used for covering purposes, 

 then treat it. Hernia in colts, extending down two or three inches, can 

 usually be easily returned, but if such a case does not interfere with the 

 animal, it is best to let it alone for a time, and it will often disappear of 

 its own accord ; but if it does not disappear, then it is necessary to 

 operate. Suppose it is a colt, one year old, with a large hernia, then it 

 is not advisable to cut into the hernial sac, but the best way is that 

 recommended by Prof. Williams. Having the colt prepared by feeding 

 sparingly for a few days, then return the intestine into its place, take 

 up the testicle and scrotum, and place a clam right over the scrotum 

 and testicle, as close to the ring as possible, and allow the parts to 

 slough off. The covered operation is performed by cutting in and ex- 

 posing the testicle, still covered by the tunica vaginalis, make a small 

 incision into the sac, then divide the stricture, replace the intestine 

 and apply a clam over the scrotum, cord, etc., and allow sloughing to 

 take place. I treated one case where the hernia extended two-thirds 

 of the way to the hock. I first prepared him by feeding sparingfy for a 

 few days — gave oats without much hay— then threw the horse and tried 

 to reduce the hernia before attempting to operate, and finding I could 

 reduce it, 1 decided to operate by returning the bowels and applying a 

 large clam as close to the ring as possible. The next day the pulse was 

 about fifty per minute ; was reduced some the day following this, and in a 

 short time the parts sloughed off, and a recovery was the result, and I do 

 not think this could have been successful by the covered method. Some- 



