INGUINAL HERNIA. 377 



M. Girard is unable to explain : may this not arise from horses in general 

 being taught to put their right legs foremost, and consequently exert 

 and strain their right sides more than their left ? 



M. Girard enters into an account of each form of in- 

 guinal hernia by a classification of cases under the general 

 heads of Enterocele and Epiplocele ; and the specific ones of 

 recent or inguinal enterocele (properly so called), enterocele 

 from castration^ chronic or scrotal enterocele, and congenital 

 enterocele, 



INGUINAL HERNIA— strictly so called, or bubonocele— almost 

 always makes its appearance abruptly, and hastens to become strangu- 

 lated. Whenever it does happen that the descent is gradual, the gut 

 remains for a time in concealment, nor do we become advertised of its 

 descent until it has made farther progress or given rise to certain dis- 

 order. Until this change takes place in the hernia, it does not necessarily 

 follow that the health is disturbed. 



The Symptoms marking its presence are — 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. A tumour is probably present in the groin, varying in mag- 

 nitude and form, depending on the nature and quantity of its contents ; 

 whether it be full of faecal or gaseous matter, which may probably be 

 detected by the feel. It is perhaps reducible, and readily returns into 

 the abdomen ; but no sooner does the animal come to move again than 

 the hernia re-appears, or even as soon as the pressure of the hand is 

 taken off. The second descent becomes commonly followed by a third, 

 and so on, until, from the volume it acquires, the hernia becomes per- 

 manent. Knowing the usual causes, it becomes our duty, while watching 

 the symptoms, to make inquiries concerning them. At length the pulse 

 becomes thready ; the eyes reddened ; the pupils dilated. Inflammation 

 seizing the displaced parts, occasions slight colics, continued or inter- 

 mittent. Both IVIr. Hodgson and Mr. Molyneux (veterinary surgeons 

 in the Company's Army) compare the symptoms to those of colic ; with 

 this difference, adds Mr. Molyneux, " that there is no remission of pain." 

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

 and ascends : this symptom is highly pathognomonic, and one demanding 

 that the practitioner should, without loss of time, examine into the state 

 of the inguinal canal. In this — 



Examination^ or manipulation, both hands are employed ; one being 

 introduced into the rectum, the other into the sheath. The one within 



