386 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



horse was now allowed to rise/^ ^' The after-treatment 

 consisted in giving a dose of physic^ scarifying the pendu- 

 lous sheath, &c., and keeping the hind parts raised in the 

 stable. The clam on the left side remained on until it 

 sloughed off. The metallic sutures were not removed for a 

 considerable time after. The horse perfectly recovered^ and 

 has been sold, with a scrotum of the ordinary size.^^ 



OPERATION FOU HEENIA IN GELDINGS.— That 



hernia is in geldings a disease of the rarest kind, the vete- 

 rinary annals of our own country afford ample proof; still, 

 the fact of there being cases on record is sufficient to show 

 that one may offer to any one "of ourselves, and perhaps at a 

 moment when least of all expected : though taken by surprise, 

 however, that we may not be taken unprepared as well, it 

 behoves us to ^ssess ourselves of every information requisite 

 for the- treating of such an accident. 



The ABLATION OF THE TESTICLE is oftcu followcd by en- 

 largement of the end of the spermatic cord, which contracts, 

 cohesion with the scrotum, down to which tuberous (united) 

 part the inguinal canal remains pervious, terminating there 

 in a cul-de-sac. By degrees, in the course of time, the 

 tuberosity of the cord diminishes ; the cord itself withers 

 and shrinks ; its vessels contract, as well as the vas deferens^ 

 which latter is commonly found to contain a colourless 

 glairy fluid. We learn from M. Girard, that — 



In Geldings^ inguinal hernia takes the same course, is susceptible of 

 the same terminations, and requires the same treatment as in stallions. 

 Trusses and bandages are all ineffectual : a surgical operation is the only 

 means of causing contraction and closure of the inguinal canal. And this 

 consists simply in the application of clams — no cutting being required — 

 upon the outside of the skin, the same as is practised for umbilical hernia. 



The Taxis is to be employed, and will be conducted with most effect — 

 the horse lying upon his side — by drawing out the hernial sheath with 

 one hand, while the other is employed in manipulation. Should this 

 mode fail, an assistant may be directed to grasp the hernial mass, and 

 keep it from pressing against the ring, while the operator renews his 

 efforts to manipulate it upward. In some cases it becomes necessary to 

 have one hand within the rectum. 



