360 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOR. 



UMBILICAL HERNIA. 



This is not unfrequently met with in toy dogs. It may 

 be congenital, or, what is more usually the case, result from 

 expansion of the navel cicatrix. A conical tumor is observed 

 immediately over the navel, and into which is protruded a 

 portion of the omentum or intestine, or both. The position 

 of four-legged animals favors the protrusion, and consequent- 

 ly its increase. 



Treatment. — This is exceedingly simple, and invariably 

 successful. As soon as the animal is weaned,* being placed 

 on his back, a conical-shaped portion of cork, with a broad 

 base, covered or not with calico or wash-leather, should be 

 applied to the protrusion, and secured there with strips of 

 pitch-plaster. 



If the hernia is allowed to go on until puppyhood is past, 

 more difficulty will be experienced in dealing with it, and the 

 chances of success will be rendered less certain. 



On the 25th of June, 1877, a young pug dog, fourteen 

 weeks old, was brought for my advice regarding a navel en- 

 largement, which I pronounced to be hernia, and most prob- 

 ably intestinal ; but I could detect no communication between 

 the protruded portion, whatever it was, and the intestine 

 within the abdomen, nor could any manipulation reduce it. 

 Fasting made no difference in its appearance or feel, nor yet 

 did a full meal. The enlargement was very much constricted 

 at its base, and gave one the idea of an empty portion of in- 

 testine or bladder inflated and tied firmly round. To ascer- 

 tain its true nature before resorting to any operation for its 

 removal (after fasting the animal), I explored it with a suture 

 needle ; but neither blood, serum, nor any other kind of 

 fluid, nor yet did collapse, follow the puncture. The owner 

 then acting on my advice, chloroform was administered to the 

 patient, and an incision made through the skin with a lancet, 



* Any appliance before weaning, would most likely be removed by 

 the mother's teeth. 



