WSEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 43 



pass over it, so as to keep it solid and prevent it from shifting. In 

 some cases it will be found that the contents of the sac can not be 

 returned into the abdomen, and this generally arises from the fact 

 that some part of the contents of the sac has grown to or become 

 adherent to the edges of the umbilical opening. In such a case the 

 skin must be carefully laid open in the long direction, the adhesions 

 of the protruding organs carefully separated from the umbilicus, and 

 after the protruding parts have been returned into the abdomen, the 

 sides of the umbilicus must be freshened if necessary by paring, and 

 then the edges of the opening brought together by catgut stitches; 

 the wound in the skin must then also be brought together by stitches. 

 The wound must be carefully dressed every day and a bandage passed 

 round the body so as to cover and protect the part operated on. 



In small hernias nitric acid has been used successfully in the same 

 manner as has been described in si>eaking of the treatment of ventral 

 hernia. Sulphuric acid has also been used for a similar purpose, 

 diluting it to the extent of 1 part of acid to 3 or 5 of water. In thin- 

 skinned animals the weaker preparations ought to be preferred, and 

 caution must be exercised in using such preparations so as not to 

 destroy the tissues on which they are applied. 



Another method of treatment is, after the contents of the sac have 

 been returned into the abdomen, to tie a piece of strong waxed cord 

 round the pendulous portion which formed the outer covering of the 

 hernia. The string is apt to slacken after two or three days, when a 

 new piece of cord should be applied above the first one. The con- 

 striction of the skin sets up inflammation, which generally extends to 

 the umbilicus and causes the edges to adhere together, and by the time 

 the portion of skin below the ligature has lost its vitality and dropped 

 off, the umbilicus is closed and there is no danger of the abdominal 

 organs protruding through it. This is what takes place when this 

 method has a favorable result, though if the umbilicus does not become 

 adherent and the skin sloughs, the bowels will protrude through the 

 opening. 



Gut-tie (peritoneal hernia). — In peritoneal hernia of the ox a 

 loop or knuckle of intestine enters from the abdomen into a rent in 

 that part of the peritoneum which is situated at the margin of the 

 hip bone or it passes under the remains of the spermatic cord, the 

 end of which may be grown fast to the inner inguinal ring. The 

 onward pressure of the bowel, as well as the occasional turning of the 

 latter round the spermatic cord, is the cause of the cord exercising 

 considerable pressure on the bowel, which occasions irritation, ob- 

 structs the passage of excrement, and excites inflammation, which 

 terminates in gangrene and death. 



The rent in the peritoneum is situated at the upper and front part 

 of the pelvis, nearer to the sacrum than the pubis. (PI. I.) 



