722 DISEASES AND ABNORMALITIES. 



hind the canal, induding as little of the skin as possible, and the ends 

 tied. If there is any doubt as to the patency of the urethra, the ligature 

 should only be partially tightened, until the nature of the obstruction is 

 ascertained and removed. When this is done, then the ligature may be 

 firmly tied when the urine escapes freely by the natural channel. 



In those cases in which the urachus cannot be secured by this pro- 

 cedure, astringents or caustics — such as the sulphate of copper — may be 

 successfully employed. Beneficial results have been obtained by the ap- 

 plication of a strong vesicant around the umbilical ring, the tumefaction 

 caused by it closing the opening. The actual cautery has also been most 

 successfully employed, particularly in a fine point. 



In the foal this accident is not uncommon ; in the calf it is so. 



1. Ercolani {Osservazioni di Anatomia PatJiolo^s[ica Cotnparata, Bologna, 1872) gives an 

 interesting relation of this accident in a calf about thirty xlays old. 



2. Cingolani {Gichrnale di Med. Fratica della Societa Vet. Torino., 1876, p. 214) relates 

 that a Cow brought forth a well-developed female calf which, five hours after birth, 

 was observed to pass its urine, not in the ordinary way, through the urethra, but in con- 

 tinual drops from the navel. Cingolani examined the creature carefully, and could not 

 discover any indications of atresia of the urethra; but nothing was done for fifteen days, 

 during which time the urine escaped by the same channel, and the urachus protruded 

 like a tap. A ligature was then applied, and the opening closed. On the succeeding 

 evening serious symptoms ensued; the belly was much 'retracted, and great pain was 



'caused by pressure ; there was intense fever, and the calf was comatose. The operation 

 being suspected as the cause of these symptoms, the ligature was untied, but no urine 

 now passed from the navel ; neither did any pass from the urethra, though on a catheter 

 being introduced, between 100 to 120 grammes were Withdrawn. No relief was afforded ; 

 the abdomen became greatly enlarged, and the pain increased ; the pulse was small, 

 the extremities were cold, and tetanoid spasms were noticed. In two days the calf died. 

 An examination revealed obliteration of the urachus by plastic exudation, the kidneys 

 were hyperaemic, the ureters opened into a small cylindrical reservoir about 14 or 15 

 centimetres long, which contained only about 100 to 120 grammes of urine ; this appeared 

 to be the bladder, and from it passed the urethra, while underneath was a wide opening 

 into the urachus. In the abdominal cavity was about a litre of urine. The symptoms 

 presented by the animal during life were evidently due to uraemia. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Umbilical Hernia. 



ExoMPHALUS omphalocele, or umbilical ox navel hernia is not at all rare in 

 young animals, and is perhaps most frequently observed in foals and pup- 

 pies ; it does not appear to be so common in calves, and in pigs and lambs 

 it is seldom seen. It would seem to be more prevalent in some countries 

 or regions than in others. Marlot states that in every score of foals or 

 mules bred in France, one is so affected. The hernia or rupture may ap- 

 pear at birth or some time after, and may continue during the life of the 

 animal if no measures are adopted to cure it ; it may be congenital or ac- 

 quired. The congenital form is produced during foetal life, when a portion 

 of the digestive and biliary apparatus is contained in the umbilical cord, 

 the anatomy of which has been described at page 86. The embryonic 

 connective tissue or Whartonian gelatine, in which are imbedded the two 

 umbilical arteries and vein (two in the calf and pig), is very abundant at 

 the elliptical opening named the umbilical ring, through which also pass 

 the urachus, the omphalo-mesenteric vessels, and a portion of intestine. 

 After birth the u'mbilical cord withers, and the Whartonian gelatine be- 



