HERNIA. 415 



much as wliile strangulation in the acute cases is only reheved 

 with great difficulty, without resorting to the operation of herni- 

 otomy, it is not uncommon in those of a chronic character, also 

 strangulated, to succeed by a careful exercise of the taxis, in dis- 

 placing the aUmentary mass which causes the obstruction, and 

 thus forms one of the contributing conditions of the strangula- 

 tion. It is only in case of failure in this endeavor that herniot- 

 omy becomes admissible. 



A chronic inguinal hernia is always a serious ailment, though 

 not necessarily incompatible with the life and health, and even 

 partial usefulness of the horse. It must, however, constitute a 

 blemish which cannot fail largely to depreciate his commercial 

 value, since it must always be liable to interfere with the efficient 

 performance of his accustomed labor, besides keeping him in a 

 state of greater or less exposure to compUcations and tendencies 

 which are a constant source and menace of danger to the valetu- 

 dinarian animal. 



Operations for the relief of hernia are always attended with a 

 certain gravity, even when they are of the simplest character of 

 which they are capable, and if compHcations exist the danger 

 must necessarily be intensified and aggravated, even to the ex- 

 tent of jeopardizing the Hfe of the patient. In the excellent 

 work of Peuch & Toussaint, speaking of the apphcations of treat- 

 ment, they remark : " In animals less than fifteen months of age 

 suffering with hernia, the expectant method is the proper indicar^ 

 tion, since the lesion may disappear as the animal gets older and 

 develops. Inguinal hernias of small size must be left alone, not 

 interfering, while in that condition, with the work of the animal. 

 The operation in chronic inguinal hernias, complicated with lacer- 

 ation of the superior opening of the inguinal canal, and conse- 

 quently with ventral hernia, is contrar-indicated by the imminent 

 danger of the occurrence of eventration during the operation, or 

 when the clamp is removed. When, however, the hernial tumor 

 has assumed such enormous dimensions, that, Hke the udder of a 

 cow, it hangs down to the hocks, there is no more contra-indica- 

 tion, the animal being then useless - and yet some sUght chances 

 of success still remain. Hernias complicated with hydrocele, sar- 

 cocele or obstruction, are cases calling for operation, and when 

 the point of strangulation has been reached, the indication of 

 immediate and urgent interference is imperative." 



