42 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



is formed by the skin which is covered on the inner surface by a layer 

 of cellular tissue, and within this there is sometimes, but not always, 

 a layer of peritoneum. The contents of the hernia may be formed by 

 a part of the bowel, by a portion of the peritoneum, or may contain 

 portions of both peritoneum and bowel. When the sac contains only 

 peritoneum it has a doughy feel, but when it is formed by a portion 

 of the bowel it will be more elastic on applying pressure. 



Causes.— In the new-born animal the opening of the navel is gener- 

 ally large, and this opening may sometimes give way to the pressure 

 of the bowel on account of the weak and relaxed condition of the 

 abdominal muscles. This defective and abnormal condition of the 

 umbilicus is frequently hereditary. It may be occasioned by roughly 

 pulling away the umbilical cord ; through kicks or blows on the belly; 

 through any severe straining by which the sides of the navel are 

 stretched apart. We may mention in this connection that it is best 

 in new-born calves to tie the umbilical cord tightly about 2 inches 

 from the navel, and then to leave it alone, when it will drop off in a 

 few days in most cases, leaving the navel in a closed condition. 



Treatment. — It is well to bear in mind that many, and especially the 

 smaller, umbilical hernias will heal spontaneously; that is, nature 

 effects a cure. As the animal gets older the abdominal muscles get 

 stronger and possess more power of resistance to pressure, the bowels 

 become larger and do not pass so readily through a small opening, so 

 that from a combination of causes there is a gradual growing together 

 or adhesion of the sides of the navel. In cases of umbilical hernia 

 where there are no indications that a spontaneous cure will take 

 place, the calf should be laid on its back, and immediately on this 

 being done the hernia will often disappear into the abdomen. If it 

 does not its reduction may be brought about by gentle handling, 

 endeavoring, if need be, to empty the organs forming the hernia 

 before returning them into the abdomen. After the hernia has been 

 returned the hair should be clipped from the skin covering it and a 

 compress composed of ten or twelve folds of linen or cotton should be 

 .applied, first smearing the skin with pitch and then a bandage 

 about 3 inches wide should be passed round the body so as to retain 

 the compress in position. The lower part of the compress should be 

 smeared with pitch, and also those portions of the bandage which 

 pass over it, so as to keep it solid and prevent it from shifting. In 

 some cases it will be found that the contents of the sac can not be 

 returned into the abdomen, and this generally arises from the fact 

 that some part of the contents of the sac has grown to or become 

 adherent to the edges of the umbilical opening. In. such a case the 

 skin must be carefully laid open in the long direction, the adhesions 

 of the protruding organs carefully separated from the umbilicus, and 

 after the protruding parts have been returned into the abdomen the 

 sides of the umbilicus must be freshened if necessary by parino- 'and 



