54 



hernia? less frequently tliau others. Among tlie many jjlans of treat- 

 ment are to be mentioned the application of a pad over the tumoi-, the 

 pad being held in place by a l)road, tiglit bandage placed around tlie 

 animal's bodj'. Tlie chief objection to this is the difficulty in keeping 

 the pad in its place. Blisters are often applied over the swelling, and 

 as the skin hardens and contracts by tlie formation of scabs an artifi- 

 cial bandage or i^ressure is produced that at times is successful. 

 Another treatment that has gained considerable repute of late years 

 consists in first clipping off the hair over the swelling. Nitric acid is 

 tlien applied by a small brush, using only enough to moisten the skin. 

 This sets up a deep-seated adhesive inflammation, which, in veiy 

 many cases, closes the oj)ening in the navel. Still another plan is to 

 inject a solution of common salt by means of the hypodermic syringe 

 at three or four i)oints about the base of the swelling. This acts in 

 the same manner as the preceding, but in my experience is not as 

 effectual. 



Others again, after keeping the animal fasting for a few hours, cast 

 and secure it upon its back; the bowel is then carefullj^ returned into 

 the abdomen. The skin over the opening is to be pinched up and one 

 or two skewers are to be run tlirough the skin from side to side as 

 close as j)ossible to the umbilical opening. The skewers are kept in 

 place by j)assing a cord around the skin between them and the abdo- 

 men and securely tied. Great care must be taken not to draw these 

 cords ioo fiylii, as this would cause a speedy slough of the skin, the 

 intestines would extrude, and death result. If properly applied an 

 adhesion is established between the skin and the umbilicus which 

 effectually closes the orifice. 



Diaphragmatic hernia. — This consists of the passage of any of the 

 abdominal viscera through a rent in the diaphragm (midriff) into the 

 cavity of the tliorax. It is rather a rare accident and one often impos- 

 sible to diagnose during life. Colicky symjitoms, accompanied by 

 great difficulty in breathing, and the peculiar position so often 

 assumed (that of sitting upon the haunches), are somewhat character- 

 istic of this trouble, though those symptoms, as we have already seen, 

 may be i^resent during diseases of the stomach or anterior j)orti()n of 

 the bowels. Even could we pronounce, with certainty, this form of 

 hernia, there is little or nothing that can Ix^ done. Leading the horse 

 uj) a very steep gangway or causing liim to I'oar up may possibly 

 cause the hernial i)ortion to return to its natural position. Tliis is 

 not enough, however; it must be kept there. 



Peritonitis is an inflammation of the serous membrane lining the 

 cavity of and covering the viscera contained within the abdomen. It 

 is very rare to see a case of idiopathic peritonitis. It is, however, 

 somewhat common from extension of the inflammatory action involv- 

 ing organs covei-ed by the peritoneum. I*eritonitis is often caused by 

 injuries, as iiunctured wounds of tlie abdomen, severe blows or kicks, 



