39 



the cord has been drawn sufficiently tight, the part will bo effectually 

 strangulated, and will slough off in a week or ten days ; while the 

 swelling, which always follows the operation, tends to prevent the 

 return of the intestine, and favours the closure of the opening in the 

 abdomen. If the ligature has not been drawn tight enough, or the 

 skewer has been omitted, the swelling which subsequently occurs 

 causes the displacement of the cord, considerable irritation may 

 follow, and at best the operation has to be repeated." 



The ointment of neutral chromate of potash, as above stated, is 

 recommended as a substitute for the operation, and it is said to 

 answer the purpose admirably ; but it cannot be more effective, and 

 it is questionable if it is more humane in its mode of action. When 

 the strangulated portion of skin has sloughed off no fm'ther treat- 

 ment is required, the animal is not subject to a return of the affec- 

 tion, and is practically as sound as though it had not been the 

 subject of hernia. 



Lq very slight cases feed solely on a limited quantity of bruised 

 oats, and nature will in most cases effect a cure. Should this not 

 be the case have a roller with a pad placed over the rupture and 

 kept there for six or seven weeks until the hole is perfectly closed ; 

 the gut, if it protrudes, to be put up with the finger before applying 

 the pad. The roller would be improved by having a small piece 

 of gutta-percha or Indian-rubber added to the bandage for elasticity 

 in lying down and rising. It is indispensable to keep the gut up by 

 the bandage for the time being, when the hole will gradually close 

 up. The foal should be kept in a loose box, where it could be 

 frequently visited to see the bandage was all right. 



A veterinary surgeon of considerable standing recommends to pine 

 the foal nearly to death, but to do it gradually. By keeping the foal 

 very short of food and water, the contraction of the intestinal and 

 other tissues is so great that the gut is drawn out of the scrotum, 

 and the opening before-mentioned becomes much smaller in conse- 

 quence. In course of time, if you find the hernia reduced, put the 

 foal on to more liberal diet, but do it gradually, and with food con- 

 taining great nutritive powers, avoiding for a time that of a bulky 

 nature, such as hay, straw, grass, and water. 



HroEBOUND. 



The ''hidebound " is the result of derangement of the digestive 

 organs. Give the horse a powder composed of calomel lOgr., 

 tartarised antimony 'iOgr., powdered gentian 2dr., every other day 

 in his food for a fortnight. 



