io6o Veterinary Obstetrics 



which were not too closely retained by mesentery, dropped out 

 into the hernial sac, descending to the level of the hocks. Such 

 conditions inevitably persist unless surgical relief is applied, and 

 the size of the hernia tends to grow, rather than decrease. It is 

 not rare to see a stallion with a scrotal hernia extending down to 

 the hocks, and with the internal ring so large that the veterinarian 

 may pass his hand through the rectum, into and through the 

 hernial ring, covered by the intestine, and down into the scrotal 

 sac. The contents of the hernial sac may consist of either in- 

 testine or omentum. 



The symptoms of scrotal hernia in the new-born are usually 

 very apparent, and consist essentially of an increased size of one 

 or both halves of the scrotum. Upon manipulation, it is usually 

 found that the herniated intestine or omentum can be readily re- 

 turned into the abdominal cavity, especially if the patient is 

 placed upon its back. After the contents have been returned, 

 the enlarged ring can be discovered by digital exploration. 



Strangulation, or incarceration, of scrotal hernia is very rare 

 in new-born animals. We have noted but one instance in a young 

 animal, which occurred in a foal, some weeks of age. When 

 strangulation occurs, the ordinary symptoms of strangulated 

 hernia appear, consisting of severe and constant colic, with 

 sweating and trembling. The volume of the hernial contents is 

 increased ; the sac is tense, firm and painful. 



The course and termination of scrotal hernia vary, according 

 to species and the size of the hernial ring. In most animals 

 scrotal hernia tends to persist, and to increase rather than de- 

 crease in size, as the patient grows older. In the foal, when the 

 scrotal hernia is small, it tends to disappear spontaneously with 

 age. In probably 90%, or even more, of foals born with scrotal 

 hernia, the defect becomes spontaneously remedied, so far that 

 they may be safely castrated by the open operation when one 

 year old. The contents of scrotal hernia very rarely, if ever, 

 become adherent, except because of some ineffectual surgical 

 handling. 



The defect is markedly hereditary, and its existence in the 

 young animal serves to render it of diminished value for breed- 

 ing purposes. In the foal, it has yet another significance, 

 from a clinical standpoint, in that, even though the defect may 

 be apparently overcome in a spontaneous manner, it may yet 



