394 



HERNIAL RUPTURE 



before, but must only he attempted in extreme cases. In making incisions 

 into this region great care must be taken to avoid the large blood vessels 

 which pass into and through the femoral canal. 



Perineal Hernia. 



Perineal hernia occurs in both dogs and bitches. In the former it 

 is recognized by a peculiar bulging or lifting of the recto-vesicalis, and in 



Fig. 132. — Double perineal hernia. 



the latter by a bulging of the vesico-uterina. In both cases we observe 

 prolapse of the duodemmi or lower bowel, and sometimes in the dog we 

 observe a prolapse of the bladder. 



In the dog we recognize perineal hernia by a soft swelling the size 

 of an egg or the size of the hand. This appears in the side and above 

 the anus, between the root of the tail and the tul^er ischii (Fig. 132). 

 In the bitch this hernial swelling is seen under the vulva and on the 

 peritoneum. This hernia can only be removed by means of an operation, 

 and unless it is either very large or shows indications of strangulation, it 

 had best be left alone. To operate the parts should be thoroughly 

 cleaned with antiseptic washes, the skin shaved, the animal etherized, 

 and an incision made in the skin, then the hernial sac is emptied of 

 its contents and ^the sac pulled out as far as possible, and ligated and 

 the free part of the sac cut off. In case there are adhesions between 

 the contents of the sac and the sac itself, the pouch must be opened and 

 the adhesions carefully torn away, and pushed back into the abdominal 

 cavity, the pouch ligated as already described. 



