HEENIA AND PROLAPSUS 145 



form I prefer. The above treatment has the advantage that 

 ihe peritoneal cavity remains closed and the dangers of a 

 peritonitis are done away with, and on the whole it can be 

 looked upon as a safe and reliable means. The most surgical 

 "treatment is herniotomy. Here of course asepsis and chloro- 

 form narcosis are essentials, otherwise peritonitis is likely to 

 follow. Herniotomy in the dog gives very nice results, while 

 in the horse the nature of the tissues, as well as the difficulties 

 accompanying asepsis, render it of doubtful value, at least in 

 €very-day practice. That herniotomy can be executed suc- 

 cessfully in the horse, especially in the colt, has been 

 demonstrated. 

 Give the treatment of incarcerated hernia. 



Attempt to reduce the hernia by hand (taxis). If neces- 

 sary, put the animal into the dorsal recumbent position, 

 assisting it by exerting traction upon the gut from within, 

 that is, through the rectum. In cases of inguinal hernia in 

 the horse, since he most likely will have to be operated, put 

 him upon the back and chloroform him ; abduct and bring 

 well back the hind leg of the affected side. Should all this 

 fail and the danger of strangulation become apparent or 

 strangulation is already present, operate. Instead of widen- 

 ing the hernial ring with the knife right away, puncture the 

 loop of intestine presenting itself with a fine trocar and 

 canula, such as is found in our hypodermic syringe cases, 

 thus allowing the escape of a considerable amount of gas and 

 liquid. In this manner I have succeeded frequently in re- 

 ducing a strangulated hernia. When this fails, split the 

 hernial ring, and rerposition of the sac's contents becomes 

 easy. In stallions, this is to be followed by castration by the 

 covered method, while in geldings the tunica vaginalis is to 

 be searched for and dissected from the bowels, which usually 



