294 HERNIA. 



posed of large intestine (colon) and omentum, neither of which are 

 in this position liable to become strangulated. It may, however, 

 become engorged and inflamed from injury. Its existence natu- 

 rally depreciates the value of an animal suffering from it. 



TREATMENT. — Excellent results can be obtained in the treat- 

 ment of this form of hernia, by the continued use of a tin,iss 

 which is kept in position by means of its attachment to a roller 

 (Fig. 114). The following surgical treatment is recommended 

 by MoUer : — " The animal is cast, placed on its back, the hind legs 

 bent and drawn outwards, the' hair shaved from over the hernial 

 sac, which is washed and rinsed with a disinfecting fluid. 

 After complete replacement, the folds of the sac are gathered 

 together in the direction of its long axis, and, beginning with one 

 end, transfixed close to the abdominal wall with a slightly bent 

 needle, provided with a strong sterilised double silk thread. 

 The threads, when drawn through, are divided close to the 

 needle, and the ends of the one half tied tightly together, whilst 

 an assistant draws the sac gently upwards. The needle carrying 

 the second half of the thread is again passed through the sac about 

 J of an inch from the first point of incision, and this section liga- 

 tured in a similar way. The same process is continued imtil the 

 entire sac is ligatured. Should the animal struggle whilst the 

 needle is being passed, the fingers of the left hand are placed on 

 the umbilical ring to prevent the intestine protruding and being 

 transfixed, or we should wait until the animal is again quiet. 

 The entire sac is then once more rinsed with sublimate or 

 carbolic solution, and the ligatures on both sides of the sac 

 powdered with a mixture of iodoform and tannin (1 to 3) " 

 (Dollar's Translation of Moller's " Veterinary Surgeiy "). 



When the hernia is very large (see Moller's " Veterinary Sur- 

 gery ''), we may adopt Siedamgrotzky's method of reducing the 

 tumour, dividing the skin which covers it, paring the edges of the 

 umbilical ring, and bringing them together with strong antiseptic 

 cat-gut or strong antiseptic silk thread. AVe may then pare the 

 overlying skin to a convenient size, sutm^e its edges with similar 

 cat-gut or silk thread, and finally cover the wound over with 

 antiseptic cotton-wool and suitable bandages. 



Ventral Herniae. 



The contents of these tumours consist as a rule of large intes- 

 tine and omentum, and, in A'-ery rare cases, of an internal organ, 

 such as the liver. The opening through which the contents escape 

 is an artificial one in the wall of the abdomen, generally on the 



