DISEASES OE THE HOESE. 69 



larly if it is not too lai-ge, he ma}^, hj the proper aiiplication of a pad 

 and broad bandage, effect a perfect cure. 



Umbilical hernia is the passing of any portion of the bowel or 

 omentum ('^ caul 'Vthrough the navel, forming a "tumor "at this 

 point. This is |0Pi congenital in our animals, and is due to the 

 imperfect closure of the umbilicus and to the position of the bodj^. 

 Manjr cases of uml^ilical hernia, like inguinal and scrotal of the con- 

 genital kind, disappear entirely by the time the animal reaches its 

 second or third year. Advancing age favors cure in these cases from 

 the fact that the omentum (swinging support of the bowels) is pro- 

 portionall}^ shorter in adults than in foals, thus lifting the intestines 

 out of the hernial sac and allowing the opening in the walls to close. 

 Probably one of the most frequent causes of umbilical hernia in foals 

 is the practice of keeping them too long from their dams, causing 

 them to fret and worr}^, and to neigh, or crj^, by the hour. The con- 

 traction of the abdominal muscles and pressure of the intestines dur- 

 ing- neighing seem to open the umbilicus and induce hernia. Accidents 

 may cause mnbilical hernia in adults in the same manner as ventral 

 hernia is produced, though this is very rare. 



Treatment of 'iwibilical hernia. — In the treatment of umbilical hernia 

 it should be remembered that congenital hernias are often removed 

 with age, but probably congenital umbilical hernias less frequently 

 than others. Among the many plans of treatment are to be men- 

 tioned the application of a pad over the tumor, the pad being held in 

 place by a broad tight bandage placed around the animal's hodj. The 

 chief objection to this is the difficulty in keeping the pad in its place. 

 Blisters are often applied over the swelling, and, as the skin hardens 

 and contracts by the formation of scabs, an artiticial bandage or 

 pressure is produced that at times is successful. Another treatment 

 that has gained considerable repute of late years consists in first clip- 

 ping off the hair over the swelling. Nitric acid is then applied by a 

 small brush, using only enough to moisten the skin. This sets up a 

 deep-seated adhesive inflammation, which, in very many cases, closes 

 the opening in the navel. Still another plan is to inject a solution of 

 common salt by means of the hypodermic syringe at three or four 

 points about the base of the swelling. This acts in the same manner 

 as the preceding, but ma}^ cause serious injur}^ if the syringe or solu- 

 tion is not sterile. 



Others, again, after keeping the animal fasting for a few hours, 

 cast and secure it upon its back; the bowel is then carefully returned 

 into the abdomen. The skin over the opening is pinched up and one 

 or two skewers are run through the skin from side to side as close as 

 possible to the umbilical opening. These skewers are kept in place 

 by passing a cord around the skin between them and the abdomen 

 and securel}- tied. Great care must be taken not to draw these cords 



