406 STRANGULATION OF THE INTESTINES. 



into the rectum becomes necessary. The reduction of the 

 hernia should be followed up immediately by the applica- 

 tion of the clams, if we unite with the reduction an attempt 

 at permanent cure of the hernia ; taking care, at the time, 

 to draw out the part of the scrotum to which the vaginal 

 sheath is adherent, and to push up the clams as close as 

 possible to the belly ; they are then to be closed, as for 

 castration. 



Of congenital hernia, our limits allow of little more than 

 the mention ; nor need more be detailed, as its conse- 

 quences are seldom injurious. It appears that inguinal 

 hernia commonly exists in the foetus in utero. M. Line- 

 guard, V. S., of Normandy, where breeding is very exten- 

 sively pursued, has ascertained that enterocele is invariably 

 present at birth ; even in abortions, and in subjects still 

 born. The congenital enterocele is an attendant on birth, 

 increasing up to the third or sixth month, but afterwards 

 diminishing, and ultimately vanishing. Should it continue 

 beyond a year or eighteen months, it is to be regarded as a 

 chronic or permanent hernia. Chronic or permanent hernia, 

 it may be remarked, our observations being so much limited 

 to geldings, we see little of. Castration, however, with the 

 armed clams, is the evident cure. 



STRANGULATION OF THE INTESTINES, OR MORBID DISPLACE- 

 MENT OF THE INTESTINES. 



The intestines, in consequence of their peristaltic motion, 

 become sometimes entangled together, and a fatal strangu- 

 lation takes place ; this happens, occasionally, from some 

 of the mesenteric folds entwining them ; sometimes by their 

 rupturing the mesentery, and becoming strangulated by 

 passing through the opening they have made : but it is 

 much oftener the consequence of spasmodic action, and 

 during colic these inversions, involutions, invaginations, and 

 introsusceptions occur. When thus affected, it is not un- 

 usual for the ileum to become reversed in its usual course ; 

 in which case a portion, then contracted by spasm, becomes 

 forced into a part less constringed, and an impenetrable 

 obstruction thence is formed. We may draw a practical 

 inference from these cases — that in spasm we should attempt 

 an early relief; and likewise that we should endeavour, in 



