290 HERNIiE, 



seen, in hot climates, the scrotum from this cause, hang down as 

 low as the hocks. The tumour is liable to become engorged and 

 consequently inflamed, in which case it ifill be accompanied by 

 colic and other symptoms of distress. 



Cases of chronic inguinal hernia of geldings have been recorded 

 in which the omentum (the connecting membrane of the intestines) 

 after having descended through the inguinal canal, united with the 

 wound in the scrotum, and thus caused uneasiness, pain, and dis- 

 inclination to take exercise. The adhesions thus formed may give 

 rise to a condition not very unlike scirrhous cord. In many 

 instances, this adhesion does not in any way incommode the 

 animal. 



Probably the chief CAUSE of chronic inguinal hernia is the 

 abnormal size of the superior inguinal ring, under which condition 

 the intestine or its connecting membrane will be liable to descend 

 into and through the inguinal canal without force being used, and 

 consequently without much danger of strangulation being incurred. 

 This form of hernia frequently exists at birth, continues during 

 early youth, and disappears with age. It may be brought on by 

 the calibre of the superior inguinal ring having been unduly en- 

 larged by forcible distension, or by incision during an attempt 

 to reduce an acute inguinal hernia. As in hot climates, chronic 

 inguinal hernia is frequent among old entires, though rare among 

 young ones and those in their prime (say, horses up to ten years of 

 age) ; in many of these cases, it is induced by the combined relax- 

 ing influences on the tissues, of old age and heat. 



In the TREATMENT of oases of colic and uneasiness from en- 

 gorgement of a chronic inguinal hernia, while the patient is 

 standing up, or more easily if he is on his back, unload the loop of 

 intestine, and return it (or its connecting membrane) by taxis 

 (p. 285). Do not ojterate, unless acute symptoms set in, if the 

 animal is less than fifteen months old ; because the chronic inguinal 

 hernise of foals usually disappear with advancing age. Refrain also 

 from operating if the tumour be harmless in its effects. If, how- 

 ever, it becomes so large as to seriously impair the usefulness or 

 the animal, or if painful symptoms set in, we should, after "having 

 placed the patient on his back, try to return the tumour in the 

 manner described for the treatment of acute inguinal hernia, after 

 having removed the testicle (supposing the animal to have been an 

 entire), and put on a clam close below the inguinal ring. 



