564 PELVIC 71 EKNI A. 



XL— PELVIC HERNIA, " GUT-TIE." 



This affection occurs most frequently in hilly regions, like Switzer- 

 land, but has been seen in England and Denmark. Though first 

 described by Oesterlen, it was left to Anker to explain the nature 

 of the condition and its mode of origin. It almost always affects 

 two to three-year-old oxen, occurs on the right side and results from 

 a portion of the colon, or less frequently of the small intestine. 

 becoming strangulated by passage through a rupture in the peritoneal 

 covering of the spermatic cord. The bowel usually becomes fixed in 

 an aperture of the peritoneum at the entrance to the pelvis and 

 strangulated, though in other cases the free end of the spermatic 

 cord returns into the abdominal cavity, and may encircle or become 

 adherent to bowel in the neighbourhood of the abdominal ring. 



Causes and progress. The immediate cause is a solution of con- 

 tinuity in the peritoneum covering the cord, or displacement of the 

 cut end of the cord, though this is rare. Both conditions are due to 

 unskilful castration, especially to pulling on the cord, without pre- 

 viously grasping it above, as in forcibly tearing off the testicles, a 

 custom still common in the south of Europe. 



The initial rupture is also favoured by heavy work in hilly districts. 

 In climbing slopes, the viscera are pressed backwards, part may 

 pass through the rupture existing in the peritoneum of the cord, 

 and then become incarcerated. As the size of the rumen, which 

 lies on the left, ensures it against strangulation, it is easy to explain 

 the frequent occurrence of the condition on the right side. Failing 

 early assistance, the animals die in four to eight days from incar- 

 ceration, rupture of the bowel, or enteritis. 



Symptoms. The condition is announced by colic, loss of appetite, 

 constipation, striking with the feet at the abdomen, moving back- 

 wards, frequent lying-down followed by suddenly springing up, 

 and general restlessness. Where much green food is given, tympanites 

 may also be observed. 



After twelve hours an apparent improvement sets in. The animals 

 are quiet and may even ruminate and feed. During the next few 

 days, however, they relapse ; colic returns, the animal passes blood- 

 stained faeces or mucus, has difficulty in breathing, and the pulse 

 becomes small and frequent. As soon as these symptoms have 

 appeared, the condition is in the highest degree threatening. 



Sometimes pain is shown on pressure in the right flank, and on 

 examination per rectum, a painful and doughy swelling, about as large 

 as a man's head, which is at first soft, but later becomes hard. 

 may be detected in front of the entrance to the pelvis and near the 



