396 DISEASES or THE INTESTINES. 



then injected a solution of sulph. zinc tat the orifice, which caused griping 

 pains for a short time ; but they did not recur, although this was after- 

 wards frequently repeated. 



Analogous to the above operation in principle, but simpler in applica- 

 tion, is one that has been practised with great success by Mr, Pattie, 

 Yoker, Glasgow. His account^ in ' The Veterinarian' for 1836, of his 

 mode of operating, is — " The colt is not cast, nor submitted to any re- 

 straint beyond that of having his head held. The hernial tumour is 

 emptied by forcing its contents into the belly ; the loose integument 

 forming the pouch is gathered into the left hand, while the right sur- 

 rounds it by a ligature placed as closely as possible to the abdominal 

 parietes, and drawn sufficiently tight to interrupt the circulation. On 

 the second day there is considerable tumefaction around the incarcerated 

 integument, which also in a slight degree partakes of the engorgement, 

 feels cold, and often clammy and moist. When the ligature has not been 

 sufficiently tight, or the pouch so large as to require strong compression 

 for arresting the circulation, it is hot and tender. In all cases more than 

 one ligature is necessary. Generally on the third day the first cord becomes 

 loose. The circle it embraces has been reduced, partly by absorption 

 and partly by incision, and there is no longer any compression. If neg- 

 lected after this, the tumour rapidly increases in size, and is attached by 

 a neck whose diameter is limited by the ligature. It is necessary, there- 

 fore, to see the patient twice or thrice a week, to renew the ligature. 

 The second, third, or fourth, should so many be required, must be placed 

 above that which preceded, and close to the abdomen. They relax in 

 from two to three days, and are then useless^ save for the purpose of 

 supporting those which follow. The whole drop off, along with the tu- 

 mour, in from ten to twelve days. The place from which the pouch is 

 detached is neither raised nor excavated. It is a flat granulating surface, 

 as large as a halfpenny, and seldom broader than a half-crown. No fur- 

 ther treatment is required, save, perhaps, a little astringent lotion to 

 hasten cicatrisation, or an ointment to exclude flies." 



Mr. Wells, V.S., Norwich, in 1852 sent to ^ The 

 Veterinarian' the following excellent practical ohservations 

 on this subject : — ^' Cases of umbilical hernia are very com- 

 mon in breeding districts. Many being slight require no 

 treatment at all : others, however, if not attended to, re- 

 main unsightly for life, occasionally producing spasm, stran- 

 gulation, and death. The old mode of treatment (and I 

 believe many practise it now) was, to place the animal on its 

 back, return the bowel, insert four skewers through the 



