68 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTKY. 



strangulated and cause the death of the animal. Inguinal hernia is 

 seen mostlj' in stallions, next in geldings, and very rarely in the mare. 

 Bearing in mind that sct'otal hernia is seen only in entire horses, we 

 can proceed to detail the symptoms of both strangulated, inguinal, and 

 scrotal hernia at the same time. When, during the existence of colicky 

 symptoms, we find a horse kicking with his hind feet while standing or 

 lying upon his back, we should look to the inguinal region and scrotum. 

 If scrotal hernia exists the scrotum will be enlarged and lobulated; by 

 pressure we may force a portion of the contents of the gut back into 

 the abdomen, eliciting a gurgling sound. If we take a gentle but firm 

 hold upon the enlarged scrotum and then have an assistant cause the 

 horse to cough, the swelling will be felt to expand and as quickh' con- 

 tract again. 



The histor}^ of these cases will materially aid us, as the owner can 

 often assure us of preceding attacks of "colic," more or less severe, 

 that have been instantaneously relieved in some (to him) unaccounta- 

 ble manner. The colicky sj'mptoms of these hernias are not diagnostic^ 

 but, probably, more closely resemble those of enteritis than an}- other 

 bowel diseases. The diagnosis can, in many cases, be made onl}" by a 

 veterinarian, when he has recourse to a rectal examination; the bowels 

 can here be felt entering the internal abdominal ring. 



Treatment of inguinal liernia. — If the reader can be sure of the 

 existence of hernia, he should secure the horse upon its back, and, 

 with a hand in the rectum, endeavor to catch hold of the wandering 

 bowel and pull it gently back into the cavity of the abdomen. Pres- 

 sure should be made upon the scrotum during this time. If these 

 means fail a veterinarian must be called to reduce the hernia by means 

 of incising the inguinal ring, replacing the intestines, and castrate, 

 using clamps and performing the "covered operation." 



Ventral hernia. — In this form of hernia the protrusion is through 

 some accidental opening or rupture of the abdominal wall. It may 

 occur at any part of the belly except at the umbilicus, and is caused 

 by kicks, blows, hooks, severe jumping or pulling, etc. Ventral 

 hernia is most common in pregnant mares, and is here due to the 

 weight of the fetus or some degenerative changes taking- place in the 

 abdominal coats. It is recognized by the appearance of a swelling, 

 at the base of which can be felt the opening or rent in the abdominal 

 tunics, and from the fact that the swelling containing the intestines 

 can be made to disappear when the animal is placed in a favorable 

 position. 



Treatment of ventral hernia. — In many instances there is no occasion 

 for treatment, and again, where the hernial sac is extensive, treatment 

 is of no avail. If the hernia is small, a cure may be attempted by 

 the methods to be described in treating of umbilical hernia. If one is 

 fortunate enough to be present when the hernia occurs, and particu- 



