226 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



compressed against the buttocks of the mare, as well as by 

 the vigorous contraction of the abdominal muscles during 

 the act, all of which combine to increase the intra-abdominal 

 pressure and tend to force a small section of intestine 

 through the inguinal ring, where it quickly becomes strangu- 

 lated unless it promptly returns to its proper position when 

 the stallion dismounts. 



In such case, soon after dismounting, in fifteen to thirty 

 minutes, or even earlier, the stallion exhibits symptoms of 

 colic, kicks at his belly, looks at his flank, breathes rapidly, 

 sweats profusely and rolls violently. The agony is excru- 

 ciating and constant, increasing in intensity, the sweat be- 

 coming more profuse until, after ten to twelve hours in very 

 acute and unrelieved cases, the violence abates, the body 

 surface, bedewed with sweat, becomes cold, and the pulse 

 rapid and weak or imperceptible, indicating gangrene of 

 the incarcerated bowel, to be soon followed by death. 



If the inguinal region is carefully examined, a tense fluc- 

 tuating swelling may be recognized, but in many cases the 

 incarcerated intestinal loop is so small that its presence can 

 be determined only by very careful palpation. Examina- 

 tion per rectum usually gives more definite results : the in- 

 carcerated intestine can be felt and grasped, making the 

 diagnosis definite and final. 



The handling needs to be prompt, and usually radical, if 

 the life of the patient is to be saved, although spontaneous 

 recovery occurs in some cases. If the agony of the patient 

 does not prohibit the attempt, the operator may insert his 

 hand per rectum, grasp the incarcerated intestine, and, drag- 

 ging gently and cautiously upon it, attempt its replacement. 

 At times this succeeds. 



Should this fail, the animal is to be cast in dorsal recum- 

 bency, with the hind legs sharply abducted, and the inguinal 

 region freely opened. He should at once be placed under 

 complete anaesthesia. The dragging on the incarcerated 

 bowel per rectum may now be repeated, accompanied by 

 digital manipulation or compression externally with the 

 other hand or by an assistant. 



