208 
ON THE TREATMENT OF HERNIA. 
I omitted to mention before, that the rupture was observed 
when she was six weeks old. 
I must now bring this rambling letter to a conclusion, think- 
ing that I have written sufficient to convince any incredulous 
person, that the mode of operation which I advocate is prefer- 
able to that of Messrs. Simonds and Rush, inasmuch as it is 
attended with less danger : nevertheless, I shall be most happy 
to hear of success at all times attending the modes of operating 
pursued by them or by others. 
ON THE TREATMENT OF HERNIA. 
By Mr. John Kent, V.S., Bristol. 
Having read Mr. Rush’s report of the fatal result of operating 
for hernia, and having, in the course of my practice, treated a 
considerable number of cases with uniform success, I am induced 
to report my plan of treatment 
Prior to my becoming a pupil at the Veterinary College, I had 
seen hernia cured by passing a strong pin through a portion of 
skin over the part, and tying a string round it so tight as* to 
cause it to slough, inferring from this that the hernia was re- 
duced by the pressure produced, and the lesion healed by the 
adhesive inflammation excited. When I commenced practice on 
my own account, I applied a blister over the part, and when the 
inflammation produced by the blister was sufficiently subsided, I 
put on a pitch plaister, and over that a slight bandage, and have 
ever since adopted the same plan. Colts at grass I have let 
remain out during the whole time ; but with horses in the stable, 
I first purge the animal, and keep it on corn alone. 
I have recently had a case of hernia in the linea alba, about 
an inch from the prepuce, and in length about four inches. The 
animal left my stable in December last, and is now well. 
In cases where the opening was small, I have succeeded by 
repeated blisters, without farther treatment. A few years ago 
another practitioner was applied to in a case of scrotal hernia in 
a sucking colt ; but, he expressing fear of meddling with it, I was 
sent for by the owner to castrate it. On my arrival, I found 
that the testicles were not descended into the scrotum, which 
was very much distended. I directed the colt to be weaned and 
kept badly, in order to make it pot-bellied, with the view that 
