64 Veterinary Obstetrics 



the adjacent parts, including the hind feet and legs, with aseptic or 

 antiseptic, towels or napkins, the scrotum is to be freely and cau- 

 tiously incised down to the incarcerated intestine, after which the 

 carefully disinfected and moistened index finger is to be passed 

 up along the anterior side of the herniated bowel to the point of 

 incarceration in the internal ring. Using the finger as a guide, a 

 herniotome, probe pointed bistoury, scalpel, or such other instru- 

 ment as the exigencies of the situation afford, is introduced 

 through the ring at its antero- external angle and the tissues are 

 sufficiently divided in a direction forwards and outwards to per- 

 mit the incarcerated intestine to return. Sterile or antiseptic 

 gauze is then introduced into the wound and packed closely 

 against the internal ring in a manner to avoid all danger of a re- 

 currence of the hernia and the scrotal wound is closed by sutures. 

 The tampon may be omitted and deep sutures taken in the inter- 

 nal ring, closing it against future hernia. 



Twenty- four to forty-eight hours later the antiseptic gauze may 

 be removed, the wound disinfected and closed and thereafter left 

 undisturbed or handled according to indications. 



2. General Infections of Coition. 



Coition brings the involved animals into such intimate contact 

 that it offers special facilities for the transmission of infectious 

 disorders from one to the other, regardless of the natural avenue 

 of entrance of the microorganism. In their sexual maraudings 

 animals make close approach to each individual of their species 

 with which they meet and thereby tend to contract any conta- 

 gion which may be extant in the neighborhood or, having such 

 disease, to distribute it everywhere in its path. Thus, the author 

 recalls an instance of a boar pig, wandering from the farm, to re- 

 turn later and, sickening from hog cholera, spread the malady 

 to the entire herd, causing the death of more than loo animals. 



The dangers are little less at times among breeding animals 

 kept confined. A young foal with strangles accompanies its 

 dam to the breeding place, scatters the infection about the prem- 

 ises where other colts may later come in contact with it or the 

 stallion, being young and non-immune, contracts the disorder and 

 transmits it to susceptible animals coming in contact with him, 

 thus disseminating the infection over a wide area. Bierstadt 

 (Woch, fur Thierheilkunde) records the transmission of stran- 



