420 OPERATIONS ON THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



umbilical hernia, to obtain the reduction and retention of the in- 

 testine, by the appUcation of a proper clamp upon the sac cov- 

 ered by the scrotal skin. 



The treatment of the gelding for strangulated hernia does not 

 differ from that of the stallion. Ordinarily, the taxis is sufficient 

 to reduce such complicated hernia, but in case of failure in obtain- 

 ing rapid success one must be careful not to carry on the manipu- 

 lations so long as to encounter the risk of lacerating or tearing 

 the tissues. The wiser and safer plan will then be to have recourse 

 to the operation of herniotomy, an operation which should be 

 performed with the greatest care in separating and dividing the 

 existing cicatricial adhesions of castration. The clamp is after- 

 wards placed ui^on the hernial sac, with its cutaneous covering, 

 requiring a longer time to slough, and constituting a means of 

 retention most favorable to the success of the oj)eration. 



Ckukal Hernia, 



or merocele, is that form of rupture in which the abdominal 

 organs make their escape through the crural ring. It is a rare 

 affection among our domestic animals, but has been seen by La- 

 fosse, Jr., in the horse, by Girard, Jr., in the dog, by Dandrieu in 

 cows, and by Hertwig in horses, donkeys and dogs. It is said to 

 be more frequent in males than females. It results from violent 

 muscular efforts, and especially from the slipping apart of the legs 

 when already separated or straddling in abduction. It is char- 

 acterized by a somewhat well defined tumor, of moderate size, 

 situated behind the inguinal ring, towards the middle of the flat 

 part of the thigh. When the rupture is recent, the animal is some- 

 what stiff in his gait, especially on the affected side, and carries 

 his leg in abduction. There is also a degree of lameness. Accord- 

 ing to Hertwig, the tumor is easily reduced, and not very painful. 

 In a few cases it may be complicated with strang-ulation. The 

 organs which have been found in the sac have been portions of 

 the small intestines ; the omentum, a*s reported by Hertwig, and the 

 bladder, in one cow, according to Dandrieu. The progiiosis in 

 cases which receive early attention, is not serious. 



The treatment consists in reducing the rupture, and afterwards 

 closing the passage through which it occurred. This is effected 

 by making an incision through the skin over the tumor, and closing 



