446 OPERATIONS ON THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



the injury is not beyond the reach of exploration with the hand. 



Certain complications are not uncommon in ventral hernia. 

 Besides irreducibility already mentioned, excessive inflammation 

 has sometimes been followed by traumatic peritonitis. Lacera- 

 tions of the displaced organs have proved fatal. Internal hemor- 

 rhages, fistulas and consecutive eventration have also been record- 

 ed. Strangulation is not unknown, though it is comparatively 

 rare. 



But with all these possibilities, it is not a rare circumstance to 

 meet with animals affected with ventral hernia, even of large di- 

 mensions, which have reached a good age with aU the appearance 

 of perfect health. From data like these upon which to found a 

 judgment, it ought not to be difficult to deduce a prognosis which 

 should never be far wrong. But, although compatible with the 

 life, health and utilization of the animal, such a lesion must neces- 

 sarily detract more or less from its commercial value. Under 

 any circumstances, it is a blemish. The least dangerous of this 

 class of ruptures are those which are situated on an elevated point 

 of the abdomen. Eecent and uncompHcated, they are amenable 

 to treatment more or less, according to their extent ; if old or 

 chronic, the chances of success are reduced ; if strangulated, they 

 are generally fatal. Usually, a ventral hernia, to be curable, 

 must be treated when it is recent, and before sufficient time has 

 elapsed for the intestines to become, as it were, accommodated to 

 their new position, and especially before the cicatrization of the 

 borders of the lacerated openings has taken place. Eecent and 

 free from complications, all that is required is their reduction 

 and retention in their proper place. 



"When reduced, whether by rectal taxis or by external pres- 

 sure, the parts are covered with a mixture of pitch and Venice 

 turpentine melted together, upon which is spread oakum out in 

 smaU, short threads, which is to be covered with a second appli- 

 cation of the pitch, after which a sheet of pasteboard, itself also 

 impregnated with the pitch mixture, is placed over the opening. 

 The whole is then covered and held in place by a broad bandage 

 carefully roUed around the abdomen. Leather is sometimes used 

 in Heu of the pasteboard. This bandage, when applied upon male 

 bovines, requires to be carefully adapted in order to avoid any 

 possible interference with the penis, and its freedom of motion in 

 the act of micturition. The complications of swelling or bloody 



