DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 41 



in size to the surface of the hernia. The protruding organ must then be replaced 

 in the abdomen and maintained in that position during the application of the 

 bandage. This being done, a layer of melted pitch and turpentine is quickly spread 

 on the sMn covering the seat of the hernia, so as to extend somewhat beyond that 

 space. This adhesive layer is then covered 'with a layer of fine tow, then a new 

 layer of pitch and turpentine is spread on the tow, and the piece of pasteboard is 

 applied on the layer of pitch, its outer surface being covered with the same prep- 

 aration. Lastly, the bandage, adhering to the piece of pasteboard, to the skin, and 

 to the different turns which it makes around the body, is carefully applied so as to 

 form an immovable, rigid, and solid bandage, which will retain the hernia long 

 enough for the wound in the abdominal walls to heal permanently. 



If the hernia is old and small it may be treated by injecting a strong 

 solution of common salt about the edges of the tear. This causes 

 swelling and inflammation, which, respectively, forces the protruded 

 organ back and closes the opening. There is some risk attached to 

 this method of treatment. 



In small, old ventral hernias the method of compressing and slough- 

 ing off the skin has been used successfully. If the hernia is large a 

 radical operation will be necessary, and this is also true when the 

 symptoms indicate that a hernia is strangulated. This operation is 

 performed by cutting down on the hernia, restoring the organ to the 

 abdominal cavity, and then closing the wound with two sets of 

 stitches; the inner stitches, in the muscular wall, should be made 

 with catgut and the outer stitches, in the skin, may be made with silk 

 or silver wire. The strictest surgical cleanliness must be observed. 

 Bleeding vessels should be tied. Then a compress composed of ten 

 or twelve folds of cloth must be placed smoothly over the seat of 

 injury and a bandage applied around the body, the two ends being 

 fastened at the back. In the smaller kinds of hernia, nitric acid may 

 sometimes be applied with success. This treatment should not be 

 applied until the swelling and inflammation attending the appearance 

 of the hernia have subsided; then, the contents of the hernia having 

 been returned, the surface of skin corresponding to it is sponged over 

 with a solution composed of 1 part of nitric acid to 2 parts of water. 

 This treatment acts by exciting considerable inflammation, which has 

 the effect of causing swelling, and thus frequently closing the hernial 

 opening and preventing the contents of the sac from returning. A 

 second application should not be made until the inflammation excited 

 by the first has subsided. In what is termed spontaneous hernia it 

 is useless to apply any kind of treatment. 



Umbilical hernia. — The umbilicus, or navel, is the aperture 

 through which the blood vessels pass from the mother to the fetus, 

 and naturally the sides of this aperture ought to adhere or unite after 

 birth. In very young animals, and sometimes in new-born calves, 

 this aperture in the abdominal muscles remains open and a part of 

 the bowel or a portion of the mesentery may slip through the open- 

 ing, constituting what is called umbilical hernia. The wall of the sac 



