382 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



Causes. — It is worth while to inquire if the hernia which exists prior 

 to birth, originate from causes similar to those that occasion it in after 

 age. Certain movements of the full-grown foetus appear very likely to 

 produce hernia, especially at a time when the inguinal apertures and 

 canals are so lax as almost to invite entry : indeed, both the ring and 

 inguinal canal in the foetus appear proportionably larger than in the 

 adult, and evidently possess more extensibility. The parietal parts — the 

 fibrous aponeurosis of the abdomen, the borders of the external ring, the 

 dartos, and the cremaster — being all as yet but imperfectly developed, 

 possess little power to oppose hernia. No sooner has the foetus left the 

 womb, however, than these several parts by degrees acquire strength, 

 until they possess energy sufficient to react upon an incarcerated hernia, 

 raise it upwards, and ultimately force it back again into the abdominal 

 cavity, and retain it there. We may now also explain how it happens 

 that these herniae suffer no engorgement or strangulation until age is 

 farther advanced ; since then it is that the animal's food becomes of that 

 fibrous substantial character which adds to the volume and weight of the 

 hernia, and in the same ratio operates against its return, and tends to 

 superinduce other more serious consequences. 



EPIPLOCELE is a frequent companion of enterocele, without adding 

 anything to the importance of the case : indeed, epiplocele of itself is so 

 far from being dangerous that it has occurred without inducing symptoms 

 either of pain or disordered function. Protruded omentum, without in- 

 testine, gives rise simply to a soft indolent tumour in the groin, unvarying 

 in volume, unless it receive addition to its contents : a circumstance that 

 serves at once to distinguish it from enterocele. I think I may add 

 to this, coughing^ as a corroborating diagnostic. M. Koupp assured 

 M. Girard, that, in the course of the practice of castration on cart- 

 horses, he had on several occasions met with hernial omentum, and had 

 invariably amputated the protrusion, without the smallest ill conse- 

 quences. 



THE TREATMENT OF INGUINAL HERNIA must 

 be based upon reduction through the release or return of 

 the confined or incarcerated viscus. The veterinarian's first 

 concern in these cases is his diagnostic; his next, the due 

 appreciation and scientific employment of the difi'erent 

 resources furnished him by his art for the removal of the 

 disease. The case, however, may be incurable, or of such 

 nature as would evince folly and temerity in surgical inter- 

 ference of any kind — at least, of such as we understand by 

 an " operation. '' 



