DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 83 
not cause the least uneasiness or distress. In course of time, however, 
the imprisoned gut becomes filled with feces, its return into the ab- 
dominal cavity is prevented, and it becomes strangulated. While 
the gut is thus filling the horse often appears dull, is disinclined to 
move, appetite is impaired, and there is rumbling and obstruction of 
the bowels. Colicky symptoms now supervene. Strangulation and 
its consequent train of symptoms do not always follow in scrotal 
hernia, for often horses have this condition for years without suffer- 
ing inconvenience. 
IncGuina HERNIA is but an incomplete scrotal hernia, and, like the 
Jatter, may exist and cause no signs of distress, or, again, it may 
become strangulated and cause death. Inguinal hernia is seen mostly 
in stallions, next in geldings, and very rarely in the mare. Bearing 
in mind that scrotal hernia is seen only in entire horses, we may 
proceed to detail the symptoms of strangulated, inguinal, and scrotal 
hernia at the same time. When, during the existence of colicky 
symptoms, we find a horse kicking with his hind feet while standing 
or lying upon his back, we should look to the inguinal region and 
scrotum. If scrotal hernia exists, the scrotum will be enlarged and 
lobulated ; by pressure we may force a portion of the contents of the 
gut back into the abdomen, eliciting a gurgling sound. If we take 
a gentle but firm hold upon the enlarged scrotum and then have an 
assistant cause the horse to cough, the swelling will be felt to expand 
and as quickly contract again. 
The history of these cases will materially aid us, as the owner can 
often assure us of preceding attacks of “colic,” more or less severe, 
that have been instantaneously relieved in some (to him) unaccount- 
able manner. The colicky symptoms of these hernias are not diag- 
nostic, but, probably, more closely resemble those of enteritis than 
any other bowel diseases. In many cases the diagnosis can be made 
only by a veterinarian, when he has recourse to a rectal examination; 
the bowels can here be felt entering the internal abdominal ring. | 
Treatment of inguinal hernia.—If the reader is sure of the exist- 
ence of hernia, he should secure the horse upon its back, and, with 
a hand in the rectum, endeavor to catch hold of the wandering bowel 
and pull it gently back into the cavity of the abdomen. Pressure 
should be made upon the scrotum during this time. If this fails, a 
veterinarian must be called to reduce the hernia by means of incising 
the inguinal ring, replacing the intestines, and to castrate, using 
clamps and performing the “covered operation.” 
VENTRAL HERNIA.—In this form of hernia the protrusion is through 
some accidental opening or rupture of the abdominal wall. It may 
occur at any part of the belly except at the umbilicus, and is caused 
by kicks, blows, hooks, severe jumping or pulling, etc. Ventral 
