DISEASES PECULIAR TO BREEDING STOCK. 313 



animal for stud service. One of the first requirements to 

 successful treatment consists in the use of a suspensorium or 

 loin bandage. To the dorsum and sides of the penis apply 

 tincture of iodine or turpentine, once daily, by light pen- 

 ciling of the parts, and internally administer spinal stimu- 

 lants, such as nux vomica (fifteen grains to a scruple, twice 

 daily) with valeriana (one ounce of the powdered root). 



SCROTAL HERNIA. 



The descent of a portion of the intestines, through the 

 inguinal canal, into the scrptum or bag which contains the 

 testicles, is sometimes met with in entire males of all ages. 

 It may be congenital, or acquired soon after birth, or at any 

 time in after-life, from a variety of causes, such as violent 

 efforts, jumping, kicking, violent throwing or rolling during 

 attacks of colic or bloating, too frequent and excited copula- 

 tion, violent exertions in pulling heavy loads, especially up- 

 hill, etc. Sometimes the descent of intestine into the 

 scrotum is not due to any of the causes named, but may occur 

 from a relaxed condition of the abdominal muscles or a too 

 spacious inguinal canal (abdominal ring). In young colts 

 scrotal hernia does not always manifest itself by sudden or 

 violent symptoms; in fact the animal may, to all appearance, 

 suffer no inconvenience; but as there will always be danger 

 of strangulation, with its sequels of inflammation of the 

 bowels, gangrene of the incarcerated portion and death of 

 the animal, such cases should be attended to as soon as they 

 are discovered, both in young and old. Whenever colic 

 occurs in stallions a careful examination of the conte*nts of 

 the scrotum should never be omitted. It will be evident to 

 any thinking man that, in a case where violent symptoms of 

 colic are induced by strangulation of a portion of intestine 

 in the scrotum, the administration of medicines, instead of 

 remedying the case, may only tend to hasten a fatal termina- 

 tion. The cause of the symptoms, being of a mechanical 

 origin and nature, can be remedied only by mechanical 

 means, aided by proper medicinal adjuncts. In young colts, 

 when no untoward symptoms exist in connection with scrotal 

 hernia, the return of the intestinal contents of the scrotum 



