SYMPTOMS OF INGUINAL HERNIA. 541 



be required to detect the rupture, while in others the swelling extends 

 below the hocks, and attains the size of a sugar loaf. Degive saw 

 a hernial sac, 16 inches in depth and 8 in width, containing 27 pints 

 of fluid, and others as large have been seen. 



The swelling has the general characters of a hernia, is elastic, 

 soft, and, if omental, somewhat doughy. It is yielding, and disappears 

 on pressure, or on the animal being placed on its back, leaving the 

 sac empty except for the testicle, which, in old inguinal hernise, is 

 usually artophied and flaccid. A coil of intestine may sometimes 

 be detected in the scrotum, and, according to Boulet, always lies 

 on the inner side of the spermatic cord. The swelling is increased 

 by exertion, by the action of the abdominal muscles, or by coughing. 

 Rumbling and a tympanitic tone on percussion betray the presence 

 of gas. 



The detection of so-called incomplete inguinal hernia is very 

 difficult. The spermatic cord is usually abnormally thickened, 

 either from oedema following pressure by the hernial contents on 

 the vessels of the cord, or from hypertrophy of the cremaster in 

 consequence of increased work. The former is therefore commoner 

 in recent inguinal cases, the latter in old ones. Doubtful cases 

 can be cleared up by a rectal examination. 



In recent inguinal hernia with commencing compression, the 

 hind-limbs are generally moved stiffly, the toes dragged, and the 

 limbs turned outwards, the breathing is rapid, the animal stretches 

 out, shows slight colic, and draws up the testicle of the affected side ; 

 Girard regards the latter symptom as pathognomonic. These signs 

 either vanish in a few days, or symptoms of strangulation set in. 



In inguinal, as in other hernia?, strangulation is generally first 

 signalised by attacks of colic, and therefore it is a good practical 

 rule always to examine the scrotum and internal inguinal ring in 

 stallions suffering from colic. The horse, under these circumstances, 

 usually stretches out or sits on its hind-quarters like a dog. Jessen 

 saw vomiting, and though, as a rule, this only occurs in disease of 

 the stomach, it must not be forgotten that gastric rupture may 

 accompany or follow intestinal strangulation. 



A second group of symptoms indicative of incarceration are found 

 in the changes undergone by the scrotum. The hernial swelling 

 becomes larger, harder, tenser, and more painful, and can no longer 

 be compressed or displaced. In several of such cases the epididymis 

 has appeared very prominent close to the testicle. 



Diagnosis of inguinal or scrotal hernia or strangulation is there- 

 fore seldom difficult. The conditions most resembling it are : — 



