52 



scrotum slioiild at any time become strangulated., it must then be 

 treated the same as in an adult horse. 



Scrotal hernia is caused by dilatation of the sheath of the testicle, 

 combined with relaxation of the fibrous tissue surrounding the ingui- 

 nal ring, thus allowing the intestine to descend to the scrotum. At 

 first this is intermittent, appearing during work and returning when 

 the horse is at rest. For a long time this form of hernia may not 

 cause the least uneasiness or distress. In course of time, however, the 

 imprisoned gut becomes filled with feces, its return into the abdominal 

 cavity is i)revented, and it soon becomes strangulated. While the 

 gut is thus filling the horse often appears dull, is disinclined to move, 

 appetite is impaired, and there is rumbling and obstruction of the 

 bowels. Colicky symptoms now suiiervene. I do not wish to imply 

 that strangulation and its consequent train of symptoms always fol- 

 low in scrotal hernia, as I know of an old horse where the scrotum, 

 by weight of the contained gut, forms a pendulous tumor reaching 

 half way to the hock, and yet he has never experienced any serious 

 inconvenience. 



Inguinal hernia is but an incomplete scrotal hernia, and, like the 

 latter, may exist and cause no signs of distress, or again it may become 

 strangulated and cause the death of the animal. Inguinal hernia is 

 seen mostly in stallions, next in geldings, and very rarely in the mare. 

 Bearing in mind that scrotal hernia is seen onlj^ in horses, we can pro- 

 ceed to detail the synq^torns of both strangulated, inguinal, and scrotal 

 hernia at the same time. When, during the existence of colicky 

 symptoms, we find a horse kicking with his hind feet Avliile standing, 

 or lying upon his back, we should look to the inguinal region and 

 scrotum. If scrotal hernia exists the scrotum will be enlarged and 

 lobulated ; by pressure we may force a portion of the contents of the 

 gut back into the abdomen, eliciting a gurgling sound. If we take a 

 gentle but firm hold upon the enlarged scrotum and then have an 

 assistant cause the horse to cough, the swelling will be felt to expand 

 and as quickly contract again. 



The history of these cases will materially aid us, as the owner can 

 often assure us of preceding attacks of "colic," more or less severe, 

 that have been instantaneously relieved in some (to him) unaccount- 

 able manner. The colicky symptoms of these herni?e are "not diag- 

 nostic, but, x)robably, more closelj' resemble those of enteritis than 

 any other bowel diseases. Cold sweats, particularly of the scrotum 

 and thighs, are held by some writers to be liathognomonic. 



The diagnosis can, in many cases, onl}' be made by a veterinarian, 

 when he has recourse to a rectal examination ; the bowels can here 

 be felt entering the internal al^dominal ring. If the reader can be 

 sure of the existence of these hernipp, he should secure the horse ujpon 

 its back, and, with a hand in the rectum, endeavor to catch hold of 

 tlie wandering bowel and pull it gently back into the cavity of the 



