DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 167 



Femoral Hernia in bitches rarely demands or receives treat- 

 ment. 



Vtfitral Hernia is easily distinguished from other swellings 

 of the abdominal walls by the movable gurgling contents 

 entirely returnable into the abdomen by pressure. Though 

 often masked by surrounding inflammation these characters 

 can usually be recognised. Treatmerit is most successful just 

 after the injury is sustained, as after the margins of the wound 

 have become insensible they will not contract and heal. 

 Return the protrusion, throwing the animal on its back and 

 quieting with opium, ether, or chloral if necessary. Then cover 

 the opening with pads and cover with a strong sheet wound 

 round the abdomen and laced tightly along the back. Keep 

 th'i sheet in position by bands carried from its anterior border 

 to a collar round the neck. Adjust and pad it carefully day 

 by day until all swelling and tenderness subside. 



Vasinal Hernia must be treated like eversion of the vagina. 



EVERSION CF I'HE RECTUM. 



ITie rectum protrudes naturally in passing dung but returns 

 immediately. If it remains and swells it demands interference. 

 Poorly-kept animals (dogs, pigs) are liable, iind it may be 

 caused in all from violent straining in work, parturition, con- 

 stipation, diarrhoea, or dysentery. The protiiision may be 

 confined to a mucous fold at one side of the anus, or the entire 

 gut may protrude to the length of several feet. It recent it is 

 little altered, but if old, is red, thick, softened, or even ulcer- 

 ated. The protrusion must be emptied, cleaned, and returned, 

 me oiled finger or arm (according to size) being introduced 

 mto the gut and through the constriction of the anus, and the 

 otner hand used to strip it off from tJiis. The head of the 

 patient should be turned downhill, and straining prevented by 

 puiching the back. In small animals with old protrusions the 



