HERNIA. 429 



is necessary. The bandages must be applied only after the perfect 

 reduction of the hernia, and the most accurate adaptation of the 

 pad to the umbilical opening. These appliances are of difficult 

 adjustment and are unavoidably uncomfortable to the animal from 

 their liability to chafe and excoriate the skin. They, therefore, 

 constitute a mode of treatment which must necessarily be attended 

 with uncertainty, and, therefore, as justifying only a careful and 

 modified recommendation. StUl, it has in the hands of many prac- 

 titioners given very satisfactory results. 



2d. Local Applications. — The treatment by irritating local med- 

 ication aims to produce in the tissues surrounding the hernial sac 

 an inflammation which will end in a serous infiltration which wiU 

 crowd away the protruding organ, prevent its return into the open- 

 ing, and subsequently facilitate the obliteration of both the sac 

 and the ring. This result is obtained by the use of certain chem- 

 ical agents, which applied on the hernial tumor tend to produce 

 various degrees of inflammation, from simple rubefaction to com- 

 plete escharification of tissues. In former times sulphuric acid was 

 recommended, and as late as 1833, Hertwig employed it in appli- ■ 

 cations made during two or three days. BUsters and their con- 

 geners have had their day. Astringents have also been recom- 

 mended, as also caustics, principally in the form of ointments, as 

 that of chromate of potash, in the proportion of one part in eight, 

 as recommended by Poelen— these also have had their advocates. 

 But of all these, nitric acid, applied externally, is the one which 

 has proved most satisfactory and least dangerous. 



The treatment consists in applying acid upon the tumor of the 

 exomphalus, in sufficient quantity to produce an escharotic effect, 

 and afterwards promote the sloughing of the cutaneous sac. The 

 mode is thus described: After positive diagnosis of the nature 

 and character of the tumor, the animal being kept in the standing 

 posture, the hairs cut short, the acid is appUed over the entire sur- 

 face of the sac, by rubbing it in with a brush, or a smaU baU of 

 oakum secured at the end of a stick, and dipped into the acid— 

 which should register 34^0 36° Baume— first passing it cu-cularly 

 over the base of the examphalus to define the place where its action 

 is required, and then including the entire surface. A sufficient 

 quantity of the caustic must be applied, and with enough energy 

 to produce the disorganization of the skin in its entire thickness 

 and positively produce its mortification. Experience has proved 



