DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 165 



small hernia, if the animal is prepared for it, and it may be necessary to 

 put him under the influence of chloroform. Operate just the same as in 

 umbilical hernia, and use skewers to prevent its slipping ; or you can 

 operate by skewers, or even a blister, in some cases, may reduce it. You 

 may also use the ligature, or operate by cutting into the hernial sac and 

 scarifying the walls, and secure the edges by means of a carbolized catgut, 

 and then bring the skin together. I think this is preferable to the metal- 

 lic suture. 



Biaphraprmatic Hernia. — This is rare, and sooner or later proves 

 fatal. It may either pass through a natural or an artificial opening. It 

 is apt to enlarge aijd soon produce death. It may proceed from various 

 causes —from violent exertion of any kind, and sometimes from colic. It 

 is difficult to diagnose, but there are 



Symptoms that might lead you to suspect it. I will give you the history 

 of one case I attended. He showed symptoms of inflammation of the 

 bowels. I learned that during the previous night he had suddenly be- 

 come ill. and continued so during the night. In the morning the pulse 

 was quick, full and bounding ; sweats covered the body ; he would lie 

 down and get up ; the respirations were greatly increased, and he ap- 

 peared to be suffering from inflammation of the lungs. This continued 

 more or less during the most of the day, and the usual remedies for enter- 

 itis were used without success. Later in the day he became quiet, the 

 pulse was scarcely perceptible, the mouth cold and clammy, the mucous 

 membranes became pale, and there was laboured breathing ; he again had 

 pain, and again became quiet, fell and expired. A post mortem revealed 

 more than thirty feet of the small intestines in the thoracic cavity. I 

 believe the cause was colic. Nothing can be done for it. 



Rupture of the Colon, either in acute indigestion or flatulent colic, 

 giving rise to symptoms similar to rupture of the stomach — the nose pale, 

 mouth clammy, etc. 



Rnptnre of the Rectum may occur, and recovery may take place^ 

 It is not uncommon, but is rather a serious injury. It may be 

 caused in various ways— by a foreign body passing in, or mal-address 

 in serving mares. If it is confined to the superior walls, especially if 

 posterior to the peritoneal covering, a cure may be effected ; but if 

 anterior, through the peritoneal covering, and in the inferior part, death 

 generally results. Make a careful examination, insert the hand carefully 

 into the rectum and remove the contents, which is better than giving an 

 injection, in this case, and endeavour to find the extent of the injury ; 

 and you might endeavour to bring the parts together, but it is difficult to 

 do. Keep the patient extremely quiet and feed very sparingly. You may 

 sponge the parts nicely, and you may give a slight laxative of oil. If 

 there is pain, give hypodermic injections or powdered opium, and give 

 tincture of aconite. 



Tumours and Abscesses in the Rectum.— A constipated state of the 

 bowels may so irritate the parts as to cause an abscess Rudely insert- 

 ing the hand, or the incautious use of the injecting pipe, may cause it, 

 especially in a violent case of the colic ; or you might even rupture the 

 rectum in this way. An abscess gives rise to great pain. After defaca- 

 tion he may cringe down, and even lie down and roll. Examine such 

 cases, and you may find an abscess or tumour ; if an abscess open it, 

 and then carefully inject with astringents and disinfectants to a certain 

 extent. Regulate the diet, and give opium if the pain continues. Ulcera- 

 tion of the walls of the rectum is more liable to occur in old animals ; 

 nothing can be done for it ; as a general thing it is of considerable 



