DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 41 



after the protruding parts have been returned into tlie abdomen, the 

 sides of the umbilicus must be freshened if necessary by paring, and 

 then the edges of the opening brought together by catgut stitches; 

 the ^YOund in the skin must then also be brought together by stitches. 

 The wound must be carefully dressed every day and a bandage passed 

 round the body so as to cover and protect the part operated on. 



In small hernias nitric acid has been used successfully in the same 

 manner as has been described in the treatment of ventral hernia. 

 Sulphuric acid has also been used for a similar purpose, diluting it 

 to the extent of 1 part of acid to 3 or 5 of water. In thin-skinned 

 animals the weaker preparations ought to be preferred, and caution 

 must be exercised in using such preparations so as not to destroy 

 the tissues on which they are applied. 



Another method of treatment is, after the contents of the sac have 

 been returned into the abdomen, to tie a piece of strong waxed cord 

 round the pendulous portion which formed the outer covering of the 

 hernia. The string is apt to slacken after two or three days, when a 

 new piece of cord should be applied above the first one. The con- 

 striction of the skin sets up inflammation, which generally extends to 

 the umbilicus and causes the edges to adhere together, and by the 

 time the portion of skin below the ligature has lost its vitality and 

 dropped off, the umbilicus is closed and there is no danger of the 

 abdominal organs protruding through it. This is Mdiat takes place 

 when this method has a favorable result, though if the umbilicus does 

 not become adherent and the skin sloughs, the bowels will protrude 

 through the opening. 



Gut-tie (peritoneal hernia). — In peritoneal hernia of the ox a 

 loop or knuckle of intestine enters from the abdomen into a rent in 

 that part of the peritoneum which is situated at the margin of the 

 hip bone or it passes under the remains of the spermatic cord, the 

 end of which may be grown fast to the inner inguinal ring. The 

 onward pressure of the bowel, as well as the occasional turning of the 

 latter round the spermatic cord, is the cause of the cord exercising 

 considerable pressure on the bowel, which occasions irritation, ob- 

 structs the passage of excrement, and excites inflammation, which 

 terminates in gangrene and death. 



The rent in the peritoneum is situated at the upper and front part 

 of the pelvis, nearer to the sacrum than the pubes. 



CoMses. — Among the causes of peritoneal hernia considerable im- 

 portance is attached to a method of castration which is practiced in 

 certain districts, viz, the tearing or rupturing of the spermatic cord 

 by maiQ force instead of di\dding it at a proper distance above the 

 testicle in a surgical manner. After this violent and rough method 

 of operating, the cord retracts into the abdomen and its stump be- 

 comes adherent to some part of the peritoneum, or it may wind 



