290 HERNIA. 



against the pad of the index, which should then be passed into 

 the scrotum and up to the constricted point in such a manner that 

 the Hat of the knife will be next to the outer side of the inguinal 

 canal, the intestine next to the inner side, and the index finger 

 between the two. The knife should now be made to revolve on its 

 back, so as to bring its blade at right angles to the flat of the 

 index finger, in which position it will cut outwards through the 

 tightly stretched tissues that press against it. This, as a rule, 

 will be sufficient to free the constriction, which in any case will 

 require only a very slight incision. We should remember that 

 an important artery (the posterior abdominal) passes along the 

 inner side of the inguinal canal. If, after the oiDcration, we find 

 that we can pass the end of the index finger beyond the site of 

 the jDreviously existing constriction, we may feel certain that the 

 knife has penetrated deeply enough. If we are unprovided with 

 a suitable instrument, we may overcome the constriction by using 

 an improvised one in the same manner, or even by the end of the 

 finger. Having broken down the obstacle to the return of the 

 bowel into the abdomen, we may, if necessary, gently aid the 

 reduction of the tumour, by manipulating it from without and 

 within, as previously described. All the preceding work on 

 exposed tissues, should be conducted with the utmost regard to 

 cleanliness, and as far as possible under antiseptic conditions (p. 

 70) ; and we should pursue the same course in our subsequent 

 treatment. It would be Avell to withhold all food from the animal 

 for at least twenty-four hours; although he should get a full 

 amount of water in small quantities at a time. He should be 

 brought on gradually to his usual allowance of food. If a seda- 

 tive be deemed necessary, we may give him 1 oz. of chloral hydrate 

 in a pint of water, or f oz. of chlorodyne. 



If the operation of freeing the constriction by means of the 

 knife has been properly carried out, it will, after the intestine 

 has been returned, act as an effective prevention to a relapse. The 

 operation, if skilfully executed, is productive of far less danger, 

 than the method of pulling and pushing the inflamed intestine. 

 It should therefore on no account be regarded as a last resource. 



After the bowel has been returned, it is the practice of many 

 veterinary surgeons always to put either a straight or curved 

 clam close to the animal's belly and immediately below the in- 

 guinal canal. Before doing this, it is well, as advised by Pfuscher, 

 to give the tunica vaginalis (the membrane which, in the entire, 

 forms a purse for the testicle on eacli side, see Fig. 112) and the 

 cord a complete turn on their long axis, so as to help to close 

 the opening. The clams are placed over the tunica vaginalis and 

 the cord. "As the chief difficulty in applying the clams high is 



