392 



HERNIAL RUPTURE 



of the application of a bandage over the hernia and kept there for three 

 or four weeks, thus holding the abdominal contents back and allowing 

 the opening to close spontaneously. The bandage consists of a tampon 

 of lint which is fixed to a piece of rubber adhesive plaster or, better still, 

 the round top of a bicycle repair plug with the stem cut off, then adhesive 

 rubber plaster is placed in strips in a circle, as per Fig. 130. Before 

 applying the plaster it is wellto clean off the skin on the region of the 



X-^UdiLJiiA^^^^ 



Fig. 129. — Umbilical hernia. 



umlnlicus with ether or benzine to get better adhesion. Shoemaker's 

 wax is also used as an adhesive substance. It is best to put a strip band- 

 age around the body to retain the bandage in position. 



Another more certain method is to place the animal on his back, 

 reduce the hernia; the hernial pouch is pulled away from the body, and 

 a needle carried through the centre of the base of the sac, the thread is 

 cut through at the needle and then each side of the ligature knotted, 

 dividing the tumor. Almost immediately the tumor dries and mummi- 

 fies, and in a w^eek or ten days falls off with the stitches, leaving a raw 



Fig. 130. — Plaster on umbilical hernia. 



surface which is painted with compound tincture of benzoin daily and 

 soon dries up. Care is to be taken to prevent the animal licking or 

 chewing the part until it is healed. 



Injections of corrosive substances, such as solution of chromic, 

 nitric, or sulphuric acid, are not to be recommended, as likewise are 

 salves of cantharides, collodion, subcutaneous injections of absolute 

 alcohol, chloride of zinc or chloride of sodium. 



