201 
VENTRAL HERNIA IN A HEIFER. OPERATION. 
CURE. 
By George Lewis, Monmouth. 
In September last I was requested to examine a heifer, 
which was said to have a “ swelling on her right side. 55 
I found her with a pendulous bag hanging very low in the 
right flank, and of an immense size. Upon a close exa- 
mination of the parts, I ascertained that the enlargement 
was produced by an escape of the intestines through a rent 
in the abdominal muscles. I informed the owner that 
nothing short of an operation could be productive of benefit 
to the animal, and I also pointed out to him the nature of 
the case, and its probable results. 
According to arrangement, the heifer was sent to me on 
September 6th, when, after due preparation by medicine, &c., 
I had her cast and secured, and then carefully made an open- 
ing through the skin and paniculus muscle, immediately over 
the laceration in the other muscles, but a little longer than it. 
I thus exposed the rent which existed in the external, and 
also the internal oblique. The edges of the aperture were 
very uneven, and much thickened ; and I may state in this 
place, that the enlargement had been observed a month prior 
to this date. A large portion of the intestines were found to 
have escaped into the sac formed by the paniculus and 
common integument ; besides which, a considerable quantity 
of serous fluid existed beneath the skin, and externally to the 
paniculus, which had doubtless been thrown out by the 
injured vessels. 
The intestines being returned into the abdominal cavity, 
the edges of the laceration were brought together with strong 
metallic sutures, and properly secured. The external wound 
was then closed ; and before allowing the animal to rise, I 
passed a seton through the most depending portion of the 
integumental sac, with a view to give a gradual and con- 
tinuous exit to the serous effusion. A compress was also 
placed upon the part, to remove as much of the pressure of 
the viscera as possible, after which the animal was allowed to 
rise. 
For several days the bowels remained obstinately consti- 
pated, and some symptomatic fever was also present ; but by 
proper measures, these unfavorable symptoms were soon 
remQved. The animal was only allowed linseed tea and thin 
