_ AS TO SOUNDNESS. 107 
find them, but ‘they are mostly unbilical or ventral— 
scrotal hernia being seldom met with on account of the 
custom of castrating the horse in this country. Umbilical 
and ventral herniae are objectionable,— 
1. From their unsightly appearance. 
2. From the bowel being more exposed to external 
injury. 
3. From their liability to become anal: 
If they are of large size their appearance is highly objec- 
tionable ; but in any case you will do well to reduce 
them and notice 
1. The size of the aperture, and 
2. Its situation. 
If the appearance of the hernia is no objection to the 
_purchaser you ascertain how much danger there is ot 
strangulation by the size and situation of the aperture. 
‘If there be a large aperture, larger than a half-crown 
‘piece, and it be placed in the centre of the hernial 
‘tumour, the chances of its ever becoming strangulated are- 
_ very remote indeed, but on the other hand these con- 
ditions are favourable to its becoming larger. If the 
aperture be small and not in the centre of the hernial 
tumour, the risk of strangulation is somewhat greater, whilst 
the chance of its getting larger is less. Should the hernia 
be irreducible this is another great objection. Scrotal 
hernia will claim your attention when examining entire 
horses. If you find one, on no account should you pass 
the horse. Should you have scrotal enlargement you will 
‘have to determine whether it is hernia or hydrocele. If 
