474 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



through an opening, either natural or otherwise. The rupture most com 

 nx)nly seen is of the bowels and omentum. The omentum is thti 

 membranous covering of the bowels or the caul. The bowels may pass 

 through the caul by rupture, or the bowels and involved caul may, it is 

 possible, pass through the mesentary, the membrane retaining the intes- 

 tines in their proper position. 



If the rupture is into the chest, it is called diaphramatic, and may 

 occur from a violent shock, as in leaping, or in 'bucking, 'as jumping stiff- 

 lesrjred is called. In bad cases death is sudden from suffocation. In 

 the slight forms there may only be difficulty of breathing, with lifting of 

 the flanks, as observed in heaves. The only remedial means to be used 

 are to give anodynes and rest. Thus slight cases may at length take on 

 the chronic form, but will never be cured. 



Hernia of the mesentary and omentum is difficult to know, and no 

 remedy can avail, except rest, with anodynes if there is pain. 



Naval rupture, and that through the scrotum, is most common. The 

 only means of cure in naval rupture is where pressure can be had by 

 means of a bandage or truss and taken in the earlier stages. The intestine 

 must first be carefully pressed back and pressure made over the parts by 

 means of a soft pad, securely fastened, and to be worn until the orifice is 

 closed or at least permanently contracted. Of course an animal vnth 

 l-upture of any part is not capable of violent exertion. 



Rupture of the scrotum is also common in males. In cases of colic in 

 entire animals, an examination should be made for scrotal rupture, since 

 there may be colickey symptoms. There may be a swelling of the bag 

 containing the testicle, the contents being movable, and disappearing up- 

 on pressure. In the smaller animals, castration may be employed, the 

 gut returned juud the wound sewed up. 



Ventral hernia is known by the contents being movable and gurgling, 

 and easily pressed back to their place. If recent, the animal should be 

 thrown on its back, using ether or chloral to keep quiet, returning the 

 protrusion, padding the orifice, and covering with strong factory muslin 

 wound round the abdomen and laced along the back, the bandage being 

 kept in place by bands fastened in front and carried to a collar worn on 

 the neck. Except in the case of valuable animals, treatment scarcely 

 pa^'^s, unless a veterinarian can be enjployed who understands anatomy « 



IX. Choking. 



Choking occurs in two distinct forms. The high choke, when the sub- 

 stance is lodged in the throat or neck ; and the low choke, when the sub- 

 stance is lodged in that part of the gullet lying low down within tho 



