INGUINAL AND SCROTAL HERNIA IN THE MALE 561 



Treatment. —Operation is advised in all cases. Herniotomy 

 is performed in the following manner: The animal should be 

 properly prepared by fasting and administration of a laxative 

 twenty-four hours in advance. The operative field should be 

 shaved and disinfected. Make an incision longitudinally 

 over the enlargement through the skin and hernial sac. If 

 no adhesions are present and the contents capable of being 

 replaced this should be done at once. If adhesions are 

 present preventing reduction they must be carefully broken 

 down when the contents will return easily. Sometimes the 

 bladder is encountered considerably distended with urine. 

 If this is the case, introduce a trocar and draw off the urine 

 which facilitates replacement. When the gravid uterus is 

 found in the sac it will be necessary to remove the fetuses 

 in the usual manner and return the cornua to the abdominal 

 cavity. After reduction has been brought about the hernial 

 sac should be ligated as close to the cavity as possible and 

 removed, pushing the stump into the cavity. Suture the 

 ring by inserting the sutures close together, keeping away 

 from the 'pudic veins. The extra skin which will be present 

 should be properly trimmed off with the scissors and sutured. 

 An antiseptic pack is applied, renewed daily, and kept in 

 position until union is complete. The external sutures 

 should be removed when the wound is healed. 



2. Inguinal and Scrotal Hernia in the Male. — Etiology.— 

 Inguinal hernia is not as common in the male animal although 

 it is met with occasionally. Dilatation of the inguinal canal 

 from any cause will allow the intestines or omentum to pass 

 through carrying a portion of the peritoneum with it forming 

 an inguinal hernia. 



Scrotal hernia is far more common in the male animal. 

 The hernial sac is formed by the processus vaginalis, and the 

 contents consist of omentum or a loop of bowel protruding 

 out into the scrotum in contact with the testicle. The 

 hernia may be unilateral or bilateral. 



Symptoms.— Inguinal hernia is characterized by an en- 

 largement appearing to one side of the penis. It is usually 

 soft, fluctuating, and reducible. The ring can be palpated 

 in most cases. Occasionally some difficulty in diagnosis 

 36 



