HERNLE. -il^ 



allow the mass to slough off. If, however, the hernia is of a 

 very large size, the plan recommended by Professor Williams 

 is a good one ; but in cases where the hernia is of a very 

 small size, the best operation is that known as the covered 

 operation, and consists of cutting through the scrotum and 

 the other coverings of the testicle until the tunica vaginalis is 

 reached. This tunic should not be interfered with. The 

 hernial sac being exposed to view, an incision must be care- 

 fully made into the stricture, discovered by means of the 

 finger, after which the bistoury should be passed in through 

 the opening and the stricture divided. In a great many 

 cases the bowel will at once pass back into place of its own 

 accord : if it does not, it must be returned with the hand. 

 This done, the scrotum, with the cord, etc., should be 

 placed in clams, the clams closed, and the mass allowed to 

 slough off, during which process a considerable exudate is 

 thrown out and new flesh is formed. Very good success, in 

 the treatment of scrotal hernia in colts, may be had by 

 simpl}? puckering up the scrotum and stitching it to retain 

 it in that shape. When clams are placed over the scrotum, 

 they should not be put on too tightly, or sloughing will 

 take place sooner than is desired ; hence, as it is desirable 

 for the process of sloughing to extend over a period of ten 

 days or so, the clams if possible should be placed on in a 

 rather loose manner, and prevented from slipping by pass- 

 ins; a skewer throuo-h the tissues below. If a case of hernia 

 is met with occurring in a stallion, after casting the animal 

 and returning the intestine, clams may be placed over the 

 scrotum beneath the testicles, a portion of the scrotum 

 allowed to slough off, and relief afforded. 



Strangulated Hernia. — When a portion of intestine pro- 

 trudes from the abdominal cavity and becomes strangulated, 

 the animal acts very much as though suffering from an attack 

 of colic : pawing, rolling, turning his head to the parts, and, 



27—2 



