Umbilic Hernia 105 1 



between the fore legs, and are attached to a band about the neck. 

 Along the back, the position of the bandage is maintained by 

 a back-strap, which extends forward to the neck- band, and back- 

 ward to terminate in a crupper. Bandages or trusses are con- 

 structed in great variety, but they all depend upon the common 

 principle of compression of the umbilicus in such a manner as to 

 push the intestines upward, toward or into the abdominal cavity, 

 assuming that, in the meantime, the hernial ring will close and 

 retain them there. 



Those who recommend a truss claim that it requires from two 

 to three months to effect a cure. Even then it is not perfectly 

 clear that a large proportion of the alleged cures may not have 

 taken place spontaneously. It is to be constantly remembered 

 that the truss or bandage cannot keep the intestine or other 

 hernial contents within the abdominal cavity, but can only press 

 them upward as far as the bandage pushes the walls of the hernial 

 sac, leaving the hernial contents lying in the hernial ring." This 

 tends to keep the ring open. If there is a projection upon the 

 bandage, by which means the contents are pushed up into the 

 abdominal cavity completely, the projecting portion of the ap- 

 paratus is pushed into the hernial ring, and, in its turn, keeps it 

 open and prevents healing. 



Serious objections to the truss are its expense, when well con- 

 tructed, and the long period of time during which it must be 

 kept applied in order that it may induce a cure. The apparatus 

 requires much careful watching and oversight on the part of the 

 owner of the animal, since it needs be readjusted frequently, be- 

 cause the abdomen is constantly changing in size according to the 

 amount of food taken. A very, formidable objection, also, is the 

 question of injury and annoyance to the young animal. Its skin 

 is tender, and great care is necessary to avoid galling and other 

 injuries from pressure or friction. 



It must be constantly borne in mind that the veterinarian has 

 no such opportunity for the efficient application of the truss as 

 has the human obstetrist. The patient of the veterinarian either 

 stands with the body horizontal, with the entire intestinal mass 

 resting directly upon the hernial ring ; or, when lying down, it 

 usually remains in the sternal position with the weight of the in- 

 testines still upon the defective part. The human practitioner 

 may keep his patient constantly upon the back, so that the ab- 



