HERNIA. 419 



results to those in the stallion, when it reaches the stage of 

 strangulation. 



Prom the fact that, as the result of castration, the superior 

 opening of the testicular sheath is more or less closed, it becomes 

 a matter of rational inference, that hernia ia a gelding is not of 

 posterior occurrence to castration, but that its existence is due to 

 a congenital disposition, and that by the operation of gelding they 

 have been reduced to their smallest proportions, in relation to the 

 dimensions of the intra-vaginal sac, to the dimensions, in fact, 

 of a bubonocele, which continues unobserved in consequence of the 

 smaUness of its size, and the depth of its location. 



These hernias are detected outwardly by a physical symptom, 

 to wit, the existence in the inguinal region, on either side of the 

 penis, and above the cicatrix of castration, of a tumor about the 

 size of an egg, soft, depressible, altogether painless, sometimes 

 elastic and at times puffy. It varies much in size, diminishing 

 with rest and quiet, and increasing with effort and active move- 

 ment. It may, in fact, under the first condition, entirely disap- 

 pear, to return as soon as the animal is put to work. In a word, 

 it has the true character of being intermittent. Aside from these 

 symptoms, rectal exploration furnishes positive data of its exist- 

 ence, by the abnormal dilatation of the ring, easUy detected, and 

 by the pressure of the intestines lodged in it. 



This hernia is also susceptible of strangulation, and is then ac- 

 companied by violent abdominal pains, which must not be ignored 

 as to their possible diagnosis and significance. The indication 

 for careful examination in that direction must, indeed, never be 

 overlooked in cases of violent coUcs in geldings. If these colics 

 are due to strangulated hernias, the presence of a round, tense, 

 resistant and painful tumor will be detected in either of the in- 

 guinal regions, and, according to Bouley, more commonly on the 

 left than on the right side. The strangulation in this class of 

 hernia is generally irreducible, and becomes rapidly fatal ; if not 

 reUeved immediately, it is not relieved at all. 



The first indication of treatment is the reduction of the hernia 

 by simple, external taxis, or by combining with it the rectal taxis. 

 The reduction will be followed by the disappearance of aU the 

 symptoms, and the animal will be apparently well, until a second 

 attack takes place. Aiter the reduction, steps must be taken to 

 prevent its return, by an operation similar to one of those used in 



