560 



VENTRAL HERNIA. 



which had died of double-sided hydronephrosis, showed just in front 

 of the os pubis a hernial opening through which the bladder had 

 slipped and become bent backwards. 



Symptoms. In recent ventral hernia two sets of symptoms 

 exist, those of hernia proper, and those of contusion; the latter 

 may, indeed, appear the more important and mask the hernia. Vent ra 1 

 hernia? are found most frequently near the last rib, in cattle on the 

 right, in horses on the left side. The parts are inflamed, painful 



Fig. 399. — Ventral hernia in a mare (from a photograph). 



on pressure, and, in consequence of oedema, either firm or doughy ; 

 if much blood has been poured out, there may be fluctuation. Older 

 hernia? fail to display such symptoms, but will be recognised by 

 their compressibility, fluctuation, softness, varying, size &c. In 

 the depths, the hernial opening may usually be felt as a round or 

 elongated aperture. 



The swelling varies within wide limits ; in small animals being 

 often only the size of a pigeon's egg, while in cattle and horses it 

 may exceed that of a sugar loaf. In the horse the hernia seldom 



