HEKNIA. 431 



circumference to the center, leaving, when complete, a rose surface, 

 granulating evenlj^, small fibrous formations sometimes appearing 

 in its center. This wound heals rapidly, leaving a contracted 

 cicatrix, which assists in keeping the hernia in its place, while the 

 indurated skin, which for some time remains adherent to the stni 

 fibrous, abdominal, subcutaneous tissue, contributes to the com- 

 plete obhteration of the ring. After a month the cure is radical, 

 and in place of the hernia, there remains only a hairless cicatrix, 

 often without pigment. 



Though this treatment is simple, and has, by the results it has 

 shown, justified the credit it enjoys among those who have had 

 experience and knowledge of its working, it must not be at once 

 accepted as infaUible, or unattended with danger. Cases are on 

 record which negative such a claim. For instance, too sevei^e a 

 cauterization may be followed by the entire sloughing of some 

 portion of the abdominal walls, followed by a large eventration ; 

 and peritonitis, tetanus and intestinal fistulse are comphcations 

 which have sometimes disappointed hopes which seemed to be 

 well founded. 



Animals to which this treatment has been applied must be 

 carefully watched for some time during the period following the 

 cauterization. They must be especially prevented from indulging 

 the tendency they often betray — to bite, or scratch with their 

 feet or legs, the irritated, cauterized siirface. A cradle or aprons 

 hanging in front of their hind legs, or even bandages may prove 

 effectual to prevent this suicidal habit. 



The topical remedies we have mentioned before, might in 

 strictness be considered as coming under the head of external 

 treatment, since they have all been applied to the surface of the 

 skin. There is, howevor another mode of application which is 

 subcutaneous, and which is represented by the method of Dr. 

 Luton, and employed in the treatment of the same ailment in 

 children. It consists in injecting subcutaneously, at each cardinal 

 points of the hernial sac, a few di'ops of a saturated solution of 

 chlorides of sodium (kitchen salt). We have had but one oppor- 

 tunity to try the value of this treatment, which we improved by 

 injecting ten drops of this solution at each point of a hernial 

 tumor. We produced an enormous swelling, followed after several 

 weeks by resorption and complete disappearance of the hernia. 

 According to Peuch and Toussaint, our friend M. Cagny has 



