444 



OPERATIONS ON THE DIGESTIVE APPABATUS. 



upon the abdominal walls, made by blunt bodies, which, lacking 

 force to pierce through the elastic skin, are yet sufficient to lace- 

 rate the interior abdominal walls. An example of this occurs in a 

 thrust from the shaft of a vehicle, or its broken end, in case of 

 a fall, or of kicks or horning among cattle in the field. In colts 

 they are more commonly found in the lower wall of the abdomen, 

 the animal frequently inflicting them upon itseK by attempting too 

 high a jump over a picket fence, and failing to clear it properly. 

 Serres says that in cattle they may follow a severe distension of 

 the abdomen under the influence of tympanitis, abdominal dropsy, 

 or gestation. 



The character of a case of ventral hernia will vary in respect 

 to its being acute and recent, or chronic and old. Indeed, the 

 lapse of but a few hours will materially change its character from 

 one to the other. If seen immediately after the infliction of the 



