718 HE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
RUPTURE. 
This is a protrusion of a portion of some part of the intestine, or of the 
membrane attached to the stomach and lying next to the front part of the 
intestines, through a natural or artificial opening into some cavity. It is 
caused by drawing heavy loads, kicking, rearing, running, straining induced 
by colic, injuries resulting from a blow or kick, or hereditary tendency. 
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT.—When a soft tumor is found at the 
navel, consisting of a sac that is elastic or inelastic, according as it contains 
respectively intestine or the membrane mentioned above, bad effects seldom 
result, the horse recovering as he grows older. Should this increase in size, 
and be attended with colic, a surgical operation is required at the hands of 
askillful practitioner. If there be a fluctuating tumor or sac in the belly, 
containing a portion of intestine, which can generally be pushed back into 
the abdomen, « cure may often be effected by so pushing back the intestine 
and applying a bandage carefully and securely, zf this be done at first. 
Since this kind of rupture seldom does harm, excepting as it disfigures the 
horse, it is usually best to omit an operation. Sometimes, when the treat- 
ment just named will not effect a cure, the intestine may be pushed up, and 
a strong band put around the neck of the sac which contained it, and left 
thus until it drops off, which will be in three or four weeks; or the band 
may be replaced with another after the first week. In either case, wooden 
clamps must be tightly placed over the skin forming the sac. If it 
be found that the aperture through which the protrusion has taken place 
has contracted so that the intestine cannot be pushed back, a skillful practi- 
tioner may perform an operation. 
When the rupture is in the groin, the symptoms will be alternate as- 
cent and descent of the testicle on the side affected, with a final ascent; cold 
sweats; constant colic, the horse often looking at the flank; perhaps attempts 
to vomit. In this case, the hand may be passed up the rectum and the in- 
testine liberated from its confinement, though this is better done by a sur- 
geon. When the intestine descends into the sac containing the testicles, it 
will disappear during rest, but reappear with exercise. Then the tumor 
grows larger gradually, and the aperture closes in, preventing the ascent of 
the intestine; there are dullness and indisposition to move; loathing of food; 
colic; constipation; rumbling of wind; in extreme cases, gangrene; cold 
sweats;shivering, and death. This form of rupture may not injure a horse’s 
usefulness, and should be treated only by successful practitioners, if at all. 
Owing to the liability to « constriction” and consequent inflammation 
and even gangrene, attention should be givem to any case of rupture as soon 
as it is known to exist or is suspected. 
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