304 HERNIA. 



in the horse. Messrs Collins of the 16th Lancers* and 

 Wells of Norwichf have recorded cases. A typical instance 

 was contributed by Mr Holloway to the Veterinarian for 

 1856. The tumours were vascular, and discharged blood 

 when the hardened excrement was voided with violent efforts. 

 Treatment consists in purgatives, cold water clysters, 

 the use of food which will favour a relaxed state of the 

 bowels, and opium suppositories. 



HEKNIA. 



By hernia is meant the protrusion of any organ through 

 an opening, whether natural or artificial. It is not necessary 

 that the protruding viscus should find its way into, or form 

 for itself a cavity, as in the case of hernia iridis, or protru- 

 sion of iris through the cornea. We commonly apply the 

 term hernia to ruptures or displacements of portions of the 

 intestinal tube, omentum, or other abdominal organ. 



Herniae are classified according to their position, as we 

 shall see in describing the various kinds; but they are also 

 distinguished into reducible and irreducible, and this depends 

 on the circumstance whether the organ is capable of being 

 replaced into its natural cavity or not. Both reducible and 

 irreducible hernise are apt to become strangulated, that is to 

 say, the protruding organ may be constricted at the opening 

 through which it has passed. Such strangulation is attended 

 with great danger and very urgent symptoms, and may 

 depend on three causes: firstly, Changes in the condition 

 of the opening through which the organ passes ; secondly, 

 Descent of an additional portion of intestine or omentum 

 into the hernial sac ; and, thirdly, Change in the condition of 

 the hernial contents, such as accumulation of faeces, con- 

 gestion, &c. 



* Veterinarian, 1849. f Ibid., 1851. 



