DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 43 



then the edges of the opening brought together by catgut stitches; 

 the wound in the skin must then also be brought together by stitches. 

 The wound must be carefully dressed every day and a bandage passed 

 round the body so as to cover and protect the part operated on. 



In small hernias nitric acid has been used successfully in the same 

 manner as has been described in speaking of the treatment of ventral 

 hernia. Sulphuric acid has also been used for a similar purpose, dilut- 

 ing it to the extent of 1 part of acid to 3 or 5 of water. In thin- 

 skinned animals the weaker preparations ought to be preferred, and 

 caution must be exercised in using such preparations so as not to 

 destroy the tissues on which they are applied. 



Another method of treatment is, after the contents of the sac have 

 been returned into the abdomen, to tie a piece of strong waxed cord 

 round the pendulous portion which formed the outer covering of the 

 hernia. The string is apt to slacken after two or three days, when a 

 new piece of cord should be applied above the first one. The constric- 

 tion of the skin sets up inflammation, which generally extends to the 

 umbilicus and causes the edges to adhere together, and by the time 

 the portion of skin below the ligature has lost its vitality and dropped 

 off, the umbilicus is closed and there is no danger of the abdominal 

 organs prqtruding through it. This is what takes place when this 

 method has afavorable result, though if the umbilicus does not become 

 adherent and the skin sloughs, the bowels will protrude through the 

 opening. 



Gut-tie (peritoneal hernia). — In peritoneal hernia of the ox a 

 loop or knuckle of intestine enters from the abdomen into a rent in 

 that part of the peritoneum which is situated at the margin of the 

 hip bone or it passes under the remains of the spermatic cord, the 

 end of which may be grown fast to the inner inguinal ring. The 

 onward pressure of the bowel, as well as the occasional turning of the 

 latter round the spermatic cord, is the cause of the cord exercising 

 considerable pressure on the bowel, which occasions irritation, 

 obstructs the passage of excrement, and excites inflammation, which 

 terminates in gangrene and death. 



The rent in the peritoneum is situated at the upper and front part 

 of the pelvis, nearer to the sacrum than the pubis. (PI. I. ) 



Causes. — Among the causes of peritoneal hernia considerable impor- 

 tance is attached to a method of castration which is practiced in "cer- 

 tain districts, viz, the tearing or rupturing of the spermatic cord by 

 main force instead of dividing it at a proper distance above the testi- 

 cle in a surgical manner. After this violent and rough method of 

 operating, the cord retracts into the abdomen and its stump becomes 

 adherent to some part of the peritoneum, or it may wind around the 

 bowel and then the stump becomes adherent so that strangulation of 

 the bowel results. The rough dragging on the cord may also cause a 

 tear in the peritoneum, the result of which need not be described. The 



