392 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES. 



the contractions of the abdomen are strong and frequent, dilatation of the 

 ring serves but to facilitate the descent of the bowels, and the hernia in 

 consequence rapidly becomes a voluminous mass, whose return is alto- 

 gether impracticable. 



The reduction effected^ we should immediately set about dissecting the 

 vaginal tunic away from the dartos and scrotum, that we may be able to 

 draw it over the cord, and clasp both within the clams, which are to be 

 applied and secured in the manner directed for castration a testicule 

 convert. This second compression must be made higher, if possible — 

 certainly not lower, upon the cord, than the former — by means of the 

 clams already applied for castration. When this high compression 

 cannot be obtained with the clams, a ligature may be used, an advantage 

 of which is its admitting of being fastened still closer to the ring. 



Two cases occurred to M. Rey, of Castres, in which this practice of M. 

 Girard's proved completely successful. In both, the hernia made its 

 appearance during the operation of castration, after the application of the 

 clams. In one he succeeded in reduction without disturbing the clams ; 

 and all he did further was, to sew the scrotum to the vaginal tunic of 

 the cord. In the other case, he had to remove the clams to accomplish 

 the reduction ; but afterwards he replaced them. The suture has the 

 eflfect of a temporary suspensory bandage, besides that of inducing 

 inflammation, and its desired consequences, effusion and adhesion between 

 these parts, and consequent obliteration of the inguinal passages. 



AVliatever advantages as a summary operation, and one that 

 requires no after surgical interference, the English may seem 

 to possess over tlie French method of castration, it must be 

 admitted on all sides, that, where hernia is concerned, one is 

 dangerous, and is not very unlikely to prove fatal ; while the 

 other is not only comparatively safe, but affords a good 

 prospect of proving a permanent cure for the rupture. 



UMBILICAL HERNIA. 



The protrusion of any portion of bowel through the umbi- 

 licus or navel, forming a tumour at that part, is what we under- 

 stand by umbilical hernia : it is technically expressed in one 

 word, by the term exomphalus. The umbilicus or navel of the 

 young animal, prior to birth, is open for the purpose of giving 

 passage to the umbilical cord or navel string : speedily after 

 birth, however, closure of it takes place ; and, about the same 



