CHAPTER XVII 



HERNIA 



A hernia (or rupture, as it is more commonly termed) 

 consists of the protrusion of an organ, or portion of an 

 organ, out of its normal situation, through an opening in 

 the surrounding tissues. 



As a general rule, \\hen speaking of hernia, it is understood 

 that the organs of the abdomen are referred to, although a 

 hernia of brain substance or other parts of the bod}- sub- 

 stance maj' occur, and quite correcth' be described under 

 this heading. 



General Remarks. — The \'arieties most commonl)- seen in 

 the dog and cat are umbilical, abdominal (or \-entral), and 

 inguinal. Scrotal, perineal, and femoral are met ^^■ith, but 

 are comparatively rare. Care must be taken to differentiate 

 between tumours and abscesses, occurring in these regions, 

 and hernia. In some cases this is by no means an easy 

 matter, even to those ^\•ho have had considerable experience. 

 In hernial sacs one must endea\'our to trace the form of the 

 herniated organs b}' careful manipulation between the finger 

 and thumb, and if there is an}- doubt about the matter, the 

 patient should be again examined after a course of purgative 

 medicine and fasting. 



The main principles of surg-ical treatment are the 

 same in all cases, and consist in the return of the organs 

 to their normal situation and the adoption of the steps 

 necessary to retain them there. In all cases the patient 



224 



