Scrotal Hernia. Inguinal Hernia 1061 



lead to serious or fatal accident in later life. If such an animal 

 is castrated after apparent recovery, without unusual precautions 

 having been taken, protrusion of the omentum, or still worse, of 

 the intestine, is liable to occur, and lead to serious or fatal re- 

 sults. If the animal is retained for breeding purposes, it may, 

 at any time after reaching adult life, suddenly develop strangu- 

 lated hernia, owing to some accident or exertion which may 

 cause a sudden increase of the intra-abdominal pressure, such as 

 jumping, rearing, or copulating with a mare. 



Handling. Since scrotal hernia in the foal usually recovers 

 spontaneously during the first year, a reasonable opportunity 

 for such recovery should be advised. If, however, the hernia is 

 very large or tends constantly to increase in size, or if it threatens 

 to become strangulated, a radical operation for its cure should 

 not be long delayed. The new-born foal is usually wanting in 

 the desired vigor to withstand such an operation, and whenever 

 practicable the veterinarian should postpone surgical interference 

 until the foal has acquired strength and the tissues have de- 

 veloped increased powers of resistance. 



The surgical handling of scrotal hernia consists essentially of 

 the removal of the testicle, and the closure of the ring or of the 

 inguinal canal. The most common and preferable operation is 

 that of " covered " castration. The animal is cast and turned 

 upon its back. In case of the foal, general anaesthesia should 

 be induced. 



Under thorough antiseptic precautions, the skin and dartos 

 are incised down to the cremasteric fascia. The testicle is 

 grasped, inclosed within the cremasteric fascia and peritoneum, 

 and traction exerted upon it, while the dartos is separated from 

 the cremasteric fascia and muscle by means of the fingers or 

 scalpel handle. The separation is carried upwards to and beyond 

 the external abdominal ring. In this manner the two groups 

 of tissues of the scrotum are separated from each other. The 

 skin and dartos derived from the external body wall, are separated 

 from the cremaster and peritoneum, which have been carried 

 down from the abdominal cavity with the testicle in its descent. 

 A curved needle, armed with sterilized silk, is passed through 

 the cremaster and spermatic cord, as high up against the internal 

 ring as is practicable. After the needle has been removed, the 



