DISEASES OF THE HOG. "5 
CHAPTER VII. 
HERNIA. (RUPTURE.) 
Hernia is the rupture of the walls of any organ, 
but is most frequently applied to a protrusion of 
the bowel through an opening, whether natural or 
artificial, Hernii are classified according to their 
position. The ones most commonly found in the 
pig are umbilical and scrotal hernia. The former 
is not often seen in the pig and is usually congeni- 
tal and makes its appearance at birth or if not 
then, shortly after. It consists of a protrusion of 
omentum or intestine through the umbilicus, and 
is caused by a nonclosure of the navel opening. 
Symptoms: There will be a bunch at the navel 
opening, soft to the touch and fluctuating, and if 
pressed upon will pass into the opening, to return 
as soon as the pressure is removed. It does not in- 
convenience the animal as long as it does not be- 
come strangulated, which it seldom does, and if 
not increasing in size it is better not to meddle 
with it, but if it is growing larger the sooner it is 
reduced the better. I have seen cases in the pig in 
which it became so large as to trail on the ground, 
and such cases cannot be successfully treated. 
Treatment: Turn the animal on its back and 
press the intestine in; when this is done pass a 
