78 
VENTRAL HERNIA IN A PONY. 
now proceeding to operate I had the animal cast in the usual 
manner, after which the head was secured to a post in front, 
and the near hind extremity freed from the hobbles and 
confined to another post behind. Bags of straw were also 
used to place the pony in a favorable position. 
All being properly arranged, a sponge saturated with chlo- 
roform was applied to each nostril ; the breathing soon became 
stertorous, and in about eight minutes, the animal was com- 
pletely under the anaesthetic influence of the agent. On a 
careful manipulation, I found it impossible to reduce the her- 
nia without enlarging the external opening, and which was 
accordingly done to an extent sufficient to admit the intro- 
duction of the hand ; when I ascertained that the serous coat 
of the intestine, in the part which had lodged against the 
wound, was much discoloured and slightly abraded : the in- 
tegrity, however, of the other coats was preserved. The 
intestines being grasped by the hand, as introduced into the 
abdominal cavity, were carefully returned. The rent in the 
peritoneum, which was thus fully exposed, was found to be 
about ten inches long, and in a line with the external wound. 
I now brought the edges of the internal wound — peritoneum 
and abdominal muscles — together, and secured them by a 
strong, ^interrupted suture of thread, allowing the end of it 
to protrude through the external opening. The edges of the 
outer wound — integument — were kept in apposition by inter- 
rupted sutures. Before allowing the animal to rise, further 
security against the escape of the intestines was given by the 
application of a truss attached to a surcingle. 
In about half an hour afterwards the following symptoms 
were present. Pawing continually. Frequent looking to the 
flanks. Pulse 72, and hard, and respiration increased. The 
extremities, however, were of a natural temperature. I gave 
Sol. Aloes, %iv, et Tinct. Opii, 
in gruel. I also abstracted six pounds of blood, threw up an 
enema, and ordered the general comforts of the animal to be 
attended to. 
11th. — My patient is much better than I expected: there 
are no indications of pain present ; the breathing is tranquil, 
and the pulse 60. Faeces have been passed, and she has 
eaten a mash, and drunk some gruel. Instructions were again 
given for her to be kept perfectly quiet, and fed sparingly 
on bran mashes and green clover. 
12th. — Still free from pain. Pulse lower, about 56. Eats 
and drinks freely. Considerable swelling, which pits on 
pressure, is present around the parts operated upon, but the 
