68 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



sweats about the scrotum and thighs, looking 

 around to the side affected. The history of the case 

 will aid our diagnosis. Treatment: Cast the ani- 

 mal and turn it on its back. Then pass the hand 

 into the rectum and by manipulation the intestine, 

 in the majority of cases, can be pushed back. If 

 not, call a qualified veterinary surgeon. 



Scrotal hernia is frequently seen in young 

 foals. The reason of this is that the 

 inguinal canal is large arid the intestine 

 smaller and the membrane holds the intes- 

 tines in their places much longer and looser in 

 comparison with the size of the colt and the full 

 grown horse. It is detected by the enlarged con- 

 dition of the scrotum. It feels to the fingers soft 

 and doughy. If it becomes strangulated it causes 

 symptoms as described. Treatment: In the foal 

 nothing should be done and in the majority of cases 

 it will right itself. As the colt grows, the mem- 

 brane contracts and the intestine is drawn up into 

 the cavity of the abdomen. If not by the time the 

 colt is two years old, it can be castrated by the cov- 

 ered operation. When it happens in the stallion 

 it will likely become strangulated and cause severe 

 pain. I have been called to several cases where a 

 stallion had been doing service, and was seized 

 with pain, which had been treated for colic for sev- 

 eral hours, without any benefit. On hearing the 

 history of the case I directed my attention to the 

 scrotum, which I found much enlarged and doughy 

 to the feel. Had the animal cast on its back and 

 by passing one hand into the rectum and pressing 



