HERNIA. 415 



much as while strangulation in the acute cases is only relieved 

 with great difficulty, w^ithout resorting to the ojieration of herni- 

 otomy, it is not uncommon in those of a chronic character, also 

 strangulated, to succeed by a careful exercise of the taxis, in dis- 

 placing the alimentary mass which causes the obstruction, and 

 thus forms one of the contributing conditions of the strangula- 

 tion. It is only in case of failure in this endeavor that herniot- 

 omy becomes admissible. 



A chronic inguinal hernia is always a serious ailment, though 

 not necessai'ily incompatible with the life and health, and even 

 partial usefulness of the horse. It must, however, constitute a 

 blemish which cannot fail largely to depreciate his commercial 

 value, since it must always be liable to interfere with the efficient 

 performance of his accustomed labor, besides keeping him in a 

 state of greater or less exposure to complications and tendencies 

 which are a constant source and menace of danger to the valetu- 

 dinarian animal. 



Operations for the relief of hernia are always attended with a 

 certain gravity, even when they are of the simplest character of 

 which they are capable, and if compHcations exist the danger 

 must necessarily be intensified and aggravated, even to the ex- 

 tent of jeopardizing the life of the patient. In the excellent 

 work of Peuch & Toussaint, speaking of the applications of treat- 

 ment, they remark : " In animals less than fifteen months of age 

 suifering with hernia, the expectant method is the proper indica- 

 tion, since the lesion may disaj)pear as the animal gets older and 

 develops. Inguinal hernias of small size must be left alone, not 

 interfering, while in that condition, with the work of the animal. 

 The operation in chronic inguinal hernias, comphcated with lacer- 

 ation of the supei'ior oj^ening of the inguinal canal, and conse- 

 quently with ventral hernia, is contra-indicated by the imminent 

 danger of the occurrence of eventration during the operation, or 

 when the clamp is removed. "WTien, however, the hernial tumor 

 has assumed such enormous dimensions, that, like the udder of a 

 cow, it hangs doT\ai to the hocks, there is no more contra-indica- 

 tion, the animal being then useless - and yet some slight chances 

 of success still remain. Hernias complicated with hydrocele, sar- 

 cocele or obstruction, are cases calUng for operation, and when 

 the point of strangulation has been reached, the indication of 

 immediate and urgent interference is imperative." 



