AND HIS DISEASES. 91 



opening communicating witb, that bag and the cavity of the 

 belly, (inguinal canal,) are apt to be mistaken for colic. They 

 are very much alike ; but there is this difference, that the 

 pain is continuous, and if the hand be passed down the groin, 

 an oblong tumour will be felt, which may be elastic from 

 distension with gas, containing faecal matter, and if he is 

 coughed, the tumour is increased in size. It is apt to be- 

 come strangulated, that is^ the passage of the contents of the 

 bowel is interrupted from the tightness of the constriction 

 at the neck, and the circulation of blood is impeded, giving 

 rise to inflammatory swelling. When this occurs, the colicky 

 symptoms give place to those of acute inflammation of the 

 bowels, the pulse becomes small, quick, and wiry, he suffers 

 intense pain, looks round to his flanks, but does not kick at 

 his belly. He rolls about, endeavours to steady himself on 

 his back, there is no remission of pain. Mortification soon 

 sets in, if not relieved. When the pain ceases he stands up, 

 quivers, has a haggard look, extremities deathly cold, vomit- 

 ing is sometimes seen, the pulse is imperceptible, he sways 

 on his legs, and ere long drops dead. 



Treatment. — The principles to be observed in the treat- 

 ment of hernia are, to return the bowel as soon as possible to 

 its natural cavity, and retain it there ; when, unless the open- 

 ing be very large, it soon grows over. 

 . In the case of foals, it is best done by judicious bandaging 

 and properly adjusted pads, which must be kept constantly 

 applied until the opening has been filled up. In older ani- 

 mals it is sometimes necessary to cut into it, and, replacing 

 the gut, bring the muscles together by st^rong metallic 

 sutures or wire skewers. Sometimes it is sufiicient to pass 

 two skewers through the loose skin at right angles to one 

 another, and tie a hard whip-cord tightly on above it, which 

 stops the circulation in the skin, which in a few days drops off. 



