Pelvic Hernia in the Ox. — Gut Tie. 365 



carceration of adjacent ones so that the animal dies of intestinal 

 obstruction with its attendant symptoms. 



Treatment. If the true nature of the case can be made out by 

 rectal exploration the appropriate treatment is by laparotomy and 

 the removal of the constricting band. 



PELVIC HERNIA IN THE OX. GUT TIE. 



Cause : laceration of parietal peritoneum by tearing through the spermatic 

 artery, a loop of intestine is strangulated in the resulting pouch. Diagnosis : 

 patient is a steer castrated by the method named, rectal exploration con- 

 firms. Treatment : turn on back, jump from a height, trot down hill, dis- 

 lodge incarcerated mass by hand in rectum, pass cannula through rectum, 

 introduce probpointed bistoury and cut through the band, or laparotomy. 

 Second Form : adhesion of stump of spermatic cord to intestine, or ab- 

 dominal wall or formation of a pediculated tumor, and resulting strangula- 

 tion of intestine. Third Form : weight of testicles tears the peritoneum 

 from the abdominal wall forming pouch. Treatment : laparotomy. 



Causes. This is a peculiar affection said to be connected with 

 a faulty mode of castration in calves. When the testicle has been 

 exposed, the spermatic cord is torn through by sheer force, or the 

 posterior portion having been cut across the anterior division is 

 dragged upon violently until torn apart. The gelders usually 

 estimate the quality of the operation by the length of the artery 

 which can be torn out. The artery which is the most resistant 

 portion of the cord and the last to give way takes its origin from 

 the posterior aorta opposite the posterior mesenteric artery, ex- 

 tends outward by a curvilinear course just in front of the brim 

 of the pelvis, and when stretched violently it is straightened out 

 and carries with it the peritoneum, tearing it from the portion 

 immediately in front and forming a sac, or tearing it completely 

 apart from the abdominal wall in its median part and leaving it 

 attached above and below. Into this sac, or above this band, 

 which is just below the sacral transverse processes, a loop of in- 

 testine may pass, and becoming strangled there, produces all the 

 symptoms of intestinal obstruction. 



Diagnosis is helped by the fact that the animal is a steer, and 



