VANLAW'S OPERATION FOR SCROTAL HERNIA 



361 



Notwithstanding the fact that scrotal hernias sometimes 

 disappear spontaneously in the young, and that they are often 

 compatible with health, the more important facts that they 

 constitute a serious unsoundness, that 'they become more and 

 more incurable with age, and that they are often the cause of 

 fatal colics, clearly indicate the course to pursue. 



In the suckling and in the yearling success is universal, 

 whereas in older subjects there is always more danger of 

 fatal results or failures, hence the inadvisability of procras- 

 tinating is evident. On the other hand, in adult stallions still 



Figs. 176-177— Two Scrotal Enteroceles. 



useful as studs the only excuse for recommending operative 

 intervention is a strangulation of the contents that can not 

 be otherwise managed. When scrotal hernias of studs are 

 compatible with health, the practitioner should leave them 

 severely alone. Moreover, the loss of one testicle would de- 

 crease the value more than the hernia of ordinary size. 



In the small animals operative treatment is successful at 

 any age. Dogs, cats and pigs submit to the operation with- 

 out apparent post-operative discomfort in almost every case. 



RESTRAINT. — Dorsal recumbent position with ropes or 



