EVENTRATION. 499 



The most significant symptom is progressive stasis of food within the 

 rumen, suggestive of some obstacle in the alimentary canal. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is extremely grave, because it is im- 

 possible to reduce the hernia. 



Treatment. No treatment is possible. The essential point is to 

 confirm the diagnosis as soon as possible and to slaughter the animal 

 while it is yet in good condition. 



EVENTRATION. 



Eventration belongs to the same group of lesions as herniae, of 

 which it is merely a more serious form. It differs from them only in 

 the fact that the entire abdominal wall is injured. The skin, muscle, 

 and peritoneum are torn, and the digestive organs pass into direct 

 communication with the external air. 



The name eventration has also been given to enormous subcu- 

 taneous abdominal herniae, in which the sero-muscular wall is injured 

 over a large area and the viscera become displaced and separate the 

 subcutaneous tissue layers while at the same time they alter the 

 whole shape of the abdomen. 



Causation. The cause is always the same — some grave mechanical 

 injury to the abdominal wall, producing an extensive perforation. The 

 injury may be due to a horn thrust or to the animal falling on some 

 sharp- edged body. 



The symptoms are very marked. Through the wound, the rumen, 

 the abomasum, or the intestine protrudes more or less. Generally 

 it is the small intestine which becomes displaced, because it is the 

 most mobile of the abdominal viscera. These organs soon become 

 dried by contact with the air, and may become infected, soiled, con- 

 gested, thickened, torn, or gangrenous. The successive development 

 of these changes causes serious and violent colic, accompanied by ex- 

 pulsive efforts ; the animals throw themselves on the ground, and 

 may tear the mesentery, the intestines, etc. At an advanced stage 

 the animal may stand motionless, looking at its viscera. Death may 

 also be caused in a very short time by the intense pain. 



Diagnosis and Prognosis. The diagnosis is evident. The prog- 

 nosis is always very grave, although, of course, it depends on the 

 condition of the displaced viscera. 



Treatment. It is often useless to attempt anything, and if the 

 animal is in suitable condition it is best, as a rule, to slaughter it. 



If the accident is quite recent, and the viscera only slightly injured, 

 surgical treatment may be attempted. With this object, the displaced 

 organs are carefully and thoroughly washed with lukewarm boiled water, 



K K 2 



