ABDOMINAL HERNIA 381 



is suppuration and sloughing of the pad. Occasionally foreign liodies, 

 nails, glass, stones, tacks, splinters of brass wire, etc., stepping in acids, 

 particularly when emptying electrical batteries, or stepping in fresh 

 slacked lime. In the latter case the external portion of the pad is fre- 

 quently entirely sloughed of!". 



Treatment. — In simple contusions rest is all that is needed; in more 

 severe conditions, paint the pad several times daily with compound tincture 

 of benzoin, or use compresses of sugar of lead water or acetate of alum. 

 "When the skin is separated, clean it with an antiseptic wash and remove 

 the loose portion of tissue and cover it with tincture of benzoin and apply 

 a compress. In the first examination of an animal in this condition it 

 is always necessary to make a careful examination of the part to see if 

 there are any foreign bodies buried in the pads. When the soles are 

 very tender the shoe shown in Fig. 125 is very useful. Sole protectors 

 are also made of chamois leather. 



HERNIAL RUPTURE. 



Abdominal Hernia. 



By the word ''hernia" we understand a protrusion of a certain 

 portion of the abdominal contents through a normal or abnormal open- 

 ing in its walls, and where the displaced portion is covered, or partially 

 covered, by the peritoneum. In the majority of cases hernia appears 

 under the external skin, although we may find it in other parts, such as 

 hernia of the diaphragm. There are several different forms of hernia. 



We distinguish the following parts in a hernia: first, the intestines 

 or contents which protrude from the abdominal cavity; second, the 

 hernial pouch; third, the envelope, or covering of the rupture; and, 

 fourth, the entrance or constricted portion of the rupture, or where the 

 intestine passes through the abdominal wall. By "hernial pouch" we 

 mean that part of the peritoneum which is around the part protruding 

 from the abdominal cavity, and we distinguish it where it is near the 

 constricted portion by forming at the neck. The portion which lies in 

 the hernial sac is the body and lower portion. The hernial pouch is 

 absent in some cases — as a result of some injury, and the injury has been 

 severe enough to tear the peritoneum, or where the hernial pouch col- 

 lapses or draws together. Hernial coverings of the pouch are the names 

 given to that portion of the skin and subcutaneous cellular tissues which 

 cover that part; in some instances we also include the muscles and apo- 

 neuroses. The contents of the hernia consist of some portion of the 

 abdominal organs enclosed in the hernial pouch. As a rule, it is the 

 intestines, in most cases the duodenum, and in some cases the jejunum. 

 Very frec^uently the duodenum may be found lying in the hernia with 



