296 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



formation of a pouch communicating directly with the peritoneal 

 cavity, and constituting a sort of diverticulum as in males. This 

 pouch forms the hernial sac in female inguinal hernia, and in pro- 

 portion to its development and the potential contractility of the 

 muscular fibers, predisposes the animal to this lesion. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The swelling is situated behind or 

 beneath the inguinal mammae. It may be of such dimensions as to 

 reach the ground, when it is usually rendered sore by friction. 

 Contrasted with neoplastic formations, it lies deeply, is more or less 

 reducible, and decreases in size when the animal is placed in the 

 dorsal position, when there is absence of adhesions. Its consistence 

 varies according to the contents and the condition of the latter. A 

 slight hernia is moderately firm and resistant. The presence of fluid, 

 whether serous, mucous, or fetal, may cause fluctuation. The forms 

 as well as the movements of one or more fetuses may sometimes be 

 distinguished. By palpation a sort of pedicle can be recognized 

 leading to the inguinal canal, and the circumference of the latter 

 can often be plainly made out. If the bowel be involved, intestinal 

 murmurs may be heard with the aid of a phonendoscope. The fact 

 is worth remarking that nursing puppies, as a rule, refuse the teat 

 or teats under which the hernia lies. 



A word of caution as to exploration of enlargements in the 

 inguinal region with instruments. Robb recorded having observed 

 an enlargement of. the posterior mammary gland of the left side 

 which fluctuated, showing the presence of liquid. An unsuccessful 

 attempt was made to draw off the fluid with the aid of a canula. 

 Finally the tumor was opened and hysterotomy performed and a 

 fetus removed. The mother died of peritonitis, which evidently 

 had its origin at the site of the puncture. Raynard described a case 

 in which the pregnant uterus protruded until it had lodged in the 

 connective tissue immediately beneath the vulva. The oyvner suppos- 

 ing the enlargement to be an abscess opened it with a penknife, and 

 thereby established a fistula. Raynard explored the tumor and found 

 it to be the uterus containing a three-to-four-months'-old fetus. The 

 hernia was irreducible owing to adhesions having formed between 

 the uterus and connective tissue, and the animal died the following 

 day. 



Treatment. Herniotomy in the following manner is indicated : 

 Incise the skin along the axis of the enlargement and enucleate the 



