INGUINAL HERNIA, 605 



the coverings of the hernia to one another, and occasionally to 

 the intestine within them. In other instances hernia is compli- 

 cated with hydrocele, the tumour assuming another shape, and 

 acquiring considerable magnitude. Besides these differences, the 

 hernia may be imperceptible, at least to the view, in consequence 

 of having protruded no further than the inguinal canal, in which 

 state it is called a bubonocele ; when it pervades the canal and 

 descends into the scrotum it takes the appellation of oscheocele. 

 Either of these forms may be recent or chronic, reducible or irre- 

 ducible. Hernia very rarely exists on both sides. It occurs 

 oftenest on the right, a circumstance which is not easily ex- 

 plained." — (GiRARD on Inguinal Hernia) 



The Symptoms. — Whenever a stallion, or even a gelding, is 

 affected with symptoms of colic, more especially if the symptoms 

 of abdominal pain are apparently relieved when the animal is 

 laid upon his back, a position he will maintain for half-an-hour 

 or more at a time, it is the duty of the veterinary surgeon to 

 examine for hernia. This is done by first emptying the rectum 

 of its contents by an enema, and then exploring the internal 

 abdominal ring, by passing one hand into the rectum, and mani- 

 pulating the scrotum with the other hand. The strangulated 

 intestine can be easily felt should the hernia exist. If the hernia 

 is not reduced, the symptoms increase in severity, the pain be- 

 comes continuous, cold sweats bedew the body, more especially 

 the scrotum and thighs ; the animal sighs, the pulse becomes 

 thready, the eyes injected, and the pupils dilated. 



The indications of the presence of an inguinal hernia before 

 actual strangulation has taken place are, according to Mr. Perci- 

 vall, as follows ; — " Indisposition to work, erected head, appetite 

 impaired, pain succeeding ; the animal breathes deeply, paws, 

 and puts himself into various postures to obtain relief. There 

 are cases in which the horse appears as if he were languishing 

 from over-fatigue. Now and then the gut returns of itself, and 

 the patient becomes suddenly restored to ease. A second 

 descent, however, commonly takes place, and that — should it 

 likewise return — becomes followed by a third, and so on, until, 

 from the volume it acquires, the hernia becomes permanent. 

 The testicle on the hernial side, though felt drawn up, 

 irregularly descends and ascends. This symptom is liighly 

 pathognomonic, and one demanding that the practitioner should^ 



