742 DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



operate, as otherwise the patients develop badly. There is no diffi- 

 culty in this, though the animals must be cast and placed on their 

 backs, the hind quarters being raised (Fig. 305). 



First stage. A longer or shorter cutaneous incision over the neck 

 of the hernia and along its greater curvature. 



Second stage. Isolation of the hernial sac, consisting of the dilated 

 internal sheath. 



Third stage. Direct reduction of the hernia without opening the 

 sac, provided no adhesions occur, or, in the event of adhesions, after 

 incision of the sac. 



Fourth stage. Torsion of the hernial sac and of the testicular 

 cord up to the inguinal ring. Application of a catgut or silk liga- 

 ture around the sac and cord at the level of the inguinal ring. 



Fifth stage. Fixation of the ligature to the lips of the ring. 

 Suture of the skin wound, and drainage of the wound with a strip 

 of iodoform gauze. 



IMPERFORATE ANUS. 



This anomaly of development, which is not uncommon, presents 

 two different degrees of development. 



In the first degree the rectum is well formed, and extends as far 

 as the skin below the base of the tail. 



In the second the rectum is incomplete or non-existent, the 

 floating colon terminating in a blind end at the entrance to the 

 pelvis. 



In calves, lambs, and young pigs very often imperforate anus is 

 not diagnosed until the second or third day after birth. Defaecation 

 cannot occur, and death is inevitable unless an artificial anus be 

 established. 



FiKST Degree. — The patient loses appetite, the abdomen remains 

 distended, and on examination of the anal region a doughy swelling 

 is felt, which projects backwards when the animal strains. The 

 operation is quite elementary, and always j)roves successful. 



First stage. The skin beneath the tail is incised vertically; the 

 rectal cul-de-sac projects towards the incision. 



Second stage. The rectal cul-de-sac is punctured, the contents 

 are removed, and the rectum and skin united by a few sutures. An 

 anus is thus established, though there is no sphincter. 



Second Degree. — The general symptoms are similar, though very 

 often the little patient shows symptoms of atrophy or arrest in 

 development. The operation is somewhat complicated. 



First stage. Vertical incision through the skin at the base of 

 the tail. 



