604 HERNIA, ETC. 



the intestinal mass gravitates against the diaphragm, pushing it 

 forward and occasionally rupturing it. The resistance afforded by 

 the parietes of the belly is likewise greater, owing to the increased 

 density and peculiar disposition of the coverings of the abdomen, 

 the fascia superficialis being thicker, more elastic, and more deve- 

 loped than in man, and particularly towards the pubes, and being 

 supported by the panniculus carnosus, an envelope that does not 

 exist in man ; added to which — not to mention the advantages 

 arising from the oblique and straight muscles, which latter are 

 much broader than in man — the fascia transversalis is consider- 

 ably stronger and more expanded. Connect with these facts the 

 practice of castration at an early age, one consequence of which 

 is the contraction of the inguinal canal, and there will appear 

 sufficient to account for the comparative exemption of the horse 

 from inguinal rupture ; and at the same time, for the unheard-of 

 occurrence of the species denominated femoral." ^ 



Inguinal hernia is most frequently met with in stallions and 

 young animals, and essentially consists of a passage of a fold of 

 intestine into the inguinal canal through the internal abdominal 

 ring. It is very frequently seen in India and on the Continent, 

 but it is uncommon in this country, from the fact that stallions 

 are not often used for working purposes. 



It is but rarely seen in the gelding, and scarcely ever in the 

 mare, although it is possible that it may occur in both. 



It occasionally presents peculiarities : — 1st. " It may occur 

 with or without visible tumour ; and it may either be acutCy 

 chronic, simple, strangulated, continued, or intermittent. In some 

 cases there exists a thickening of the membranes, adhesions of 



* ** This was written in 1827, but since then an 'unheard-of case has happened 

 to M. Seon, V. S. to the Garde Roydle. He was called, while on the march, to a 

 mare with a swelling as large as his fist in the upper and fore part of the inside of 

 the thigh. The existence of hernia was evident beyond dispute. By compressing 

 and pushing its contents backward and upward, he caused the whole of them to 

 re-enter the canal, but they speedily re-appeared. Bandages and compresses of 

 tow kept the hernia reduced, but their tightness caused alarming tumefactions, 

 which required their removal ; and the consequence was, on the sixth day the 

 hernia returned. The mare was now cast, the hernia reduced, and pledgets of 

 tow, dipped in melted pitch, plastered upon the situation of the tumour, and over 

 them, one, twelve inches in diameter, of pitched strong canvas. As soon as 

 the pitch had set, the mare was let up. In ten days afterwards the plasters had 

 fallen off, leaving some ulcerations, which readily healed. The place opposite the 

 termination of the femoral canal subsequently exhibited a species of callus." — 

 (Percivall's Hippopathology.) 



