XIX. 



HERNIA. 



Abdominal hernia, or ruptures, are classified as reducible, 

 irriducible, and strangulated, according to their condition, and 

 into inguinal, scrotal, ventral, umbilical, and diaphragmatic, 

 according to their situation. A hernia may be defined to be a 

 protrusion of the whole or part of an organ from its natural 

 cavity. 



INGUINAL HERNIA. 



This form is most commonly met with in young animals and 

 stallions. It consists of a passage of a portion of the intestines 

 through the internal abdominal ring, and into the inguinal canal. 

 Sometimes the intestine passes down and becomes strangulated, 

 causing colicky pains. The animal rolls, gets up, and is all right; 

 the intestine has returned to its place. There are usually no 

 external signs of hernia of this description; it therefore requires 

 a careful examination, with some knowledge of the anatomy of 

 the parts, to diagnose it correctly. Castration tends to prevent 

 it, by causing contraction of the inguinal canal. 



SCROTAL HERNIA. 



This form is not common among young animals; it is often 

 congenital, being frequently seen at birth or soon after. In such 

 cases it should be left alone, as it usually disappears in eight or 

 nine months. Scrotal hernia will cause but little inconvenience 

 unless it becomes strangulated. 



Symptoms. — It is not always easy to distinguish scrotal ente- 

 rocele from other swellings of the genitals, and particularly when 

 the hernia is complicated with sarcocele or varicocele, a thicken- 

 ing of the cord, or a combination of these affections. If it is a 



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