710 DISEASES AXD ABNORMALITIES OE THE YOUNG AXIMAL. 



the centre becomes dry and hard, like parchment. Instead of the 

 hernia, there is now only a newly-formed mass of fibrous tissue, which 

 is gradually lessened in volume, condensed, and partly absorbed, like 

 cicatricial tissue. At the same time the cauterised skin begins to be 

 thrown off at the margin, the process of separation extending to the 

 centre, where it takes a long time to be completed, because of the re- 

 mains of the umbilical cord. When completely detached, there is a 

 granulating healthy-looking wound left, which may have some fibrous 

 masses in its middle. This suppurates, dries, becomes covered with a 

 crust, and is gradually furnished with epithelium'. In retracting, the 

 wound contributes largely in closing the hernial opening, while the in- 

 durated skin which continues for some time to adhere to the abdominal 

 walls through the medium of the condensed connective tissue, contri- 

 butes its share. In about a month cicatrisation is finished ; the cicatrix 

 remains destitute of hair, and often of pigment. 



According to the testimony of Zundel and others, this mode of treat- 

 ing an umbilical hernia is prompt and speedy. There is generally no 

 occasion to throw the animal down, and one assistant only is necessary ; 

 it is rarely followed by accidents. These do occur, however, and the 

 most serious and frequent is the escape of the intestines through the 

 eschar, about eight days after the nitric acid has been applied. This 

 unfortunate result has been attributed to excessive cauterisation when 

 the skin is thin and fine, though it may also occur from the animal 

 rubbing or tearing off the sloughing cuticle when the pain or itching are 

 troublesome. To obviate this accident, Eey, Lafosse, Legoff, and others 

 recommend the employment of a bandage, and quietude after the opera- 

 tion. Eeynal has observed peritonitis as a consequence of nitric acid 

 cauterisation, and Lafosse mentions a case of tetanus due to this treat- 

 ment. 



When the cauterisation has not been sufficient, a relapse is likely to 

 occur ; Lafosse has observed one in twenty successful cases. This in- 

 sufficiency is generally noticed on the following day, in the absence or 

 trifling amount of swelling ; but the cauterisation must not be attempted 

 again in less than two or three weeks. 



Hertwig, as has been mentioned, recommends sulphuric instead of 

 nitric acid, and applies it in lines, night and morning, for two days, by 

 means of a glass rod. CEdema soon sets in, and it may be increased by 

 rubbing the cauterised surface with oil of turpentine and oil (one to 

 two). The sulphuric acid, however, appears to be less prompt than the 

 nitric. Strong blistering ointment applied at intervals of three days ; 

 chromate of potass ointment (one to three) rubbed in once a day for 

 five minutes at a time, on two consecutive days ; solution of bichloride 

 of mercury, and other topical irritants, have all been more or less suc- 

 cessfully employed. Even the actual cautery, in lines and points, has 

 been resorted to ; but the beneficial effect to be derived from it is un- 

 certain, and at best it is very painful. 



Boulej^^ draws attention to Luton's method of subcutaneous injections 

 for the cure of congenital hernia? in infants, and believes it will be found 

 more advantageous than any other treatment yet attempted for umbilical 

 hernia in animals. Luton's method consists in the subcutaneous injec- 

 tion of a few drops of common salt solution around the hernial tumour, 

 by means of the ordinary subcutaneous-injection syringe. ITnder the 

 irritating influence of this injection oedema sets in, and this mechanic- 

 ' Bizictil de Mtderine Veterinaire, 1877. 



