160 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Treatment. — The same as for inguinal hernia. Of 

 course, in both cases, care should first be taken to push 

 back the bowels through the ring into the belly, before re- 

 moving the testicles. Scrotal rupture should not be con- 

 founded with hydrocele, or water in the scrotal sack. 

 (See Dropsy.) 



(3.) Congenital Rupture. — This is a species of rup- 

 ture observed at the birth of the foal or colt, and is the 

 least dangerous of all the varieties of ruptures, although 

 the rupture continues to grow and increase in size until 

 the fourth to the sixth month of the colt's age, and then 

 gradually and progressively disappears altogether. If, 

 however, it should not at the end of that time diminish 

 in size and volume, a tolerably stout and tight collar 

 or bandage may be placed around the body, and covering 

 the rupture. This band should be kept in place by a 

 broad collar or cloth attached to each side of the body 

 bandage, and passing in front of the breast, and another 

 round the back parts of the hips; thus preventing a back- 

 ward or forward movement of the body bandage. 



If rupture should occur in a few days after the birth 

 of the colt, it should to all intents and purposes be 

 classed as congenital rupture, and be treated accord- 

 ingly. 



Congenital rupture is the same as what is called by 

 some writers umbilical rupture, which is correct as far as 

 it goes ; but congenital rupture includes not only the na- 

 vel, but the scrotal also. The navel variety can be suc- 

 cessfully treated by letting it alone, or in some cases the 

 application of a bandage. And when in the scrotum cas- 

 tration is the only cure, a bandage in this case would not 

 only be useless, but hurtful to the colt. 



