256 ABDOMINAL WOUNDS, WITH PROLAPSE OF INTERNAL ORGANS. 
depended on the abstraction of moisture, and not on direct chemical 
irritation, as had previously been supposed. Early reposition is therefore 
the most important indication. 
Omental prolapse is least dangerous, because, in the event of its 
return being impossible, a large piece may be removed without bad 
consequences. This is often done with impunity in castrating horses 
and other animals. Where the omental protrusion is large apd contains 
important blood-vessels, a portion is withdrawn, a sterilised ligature 
applied to the healthy part, the portion below cut off, and the remainder 
thrust back into the peritoneal cavity, or, still better, into the abdominal 
wound, to which it becomes attached, preventing egress of other organs 
and entrance of infective wound secretions. The portion of omentum 
thus detained in the wound shows no great tendency to set up inflammatory 
processes. If the protruded omentum has become soiled or necrosed, its 
removal is still more imperative. All experienced practitioners recom¬ 
mend its being further withdrawn and cut off. Moller has repeatedly 
seen abdominal wounds in dogs and cats, in which the prolapsed 
omentum was converted by injury into a black greasy mass with an 
offensive smell, but when this was excised, healing quickly ensued. 
Prolapse of the bowel is more dangerous, because the viscus must be 
returned to the peritoneal cavity. Recoveries neverthless occur in all 
animals, provided the protruded portion be carefully cleansed and 
replaced, and fresh prolapse prevented. It is important to effect 
reposition before the serous covering has become dry (and necrotic). 
The introduction of a few germs though risky is not particularly 
dangerous, as the healthy tissues are quite capable of destroying them. 
When the serosa is injured, however, its vitality is lowered and the 
conditions are all in favour of the growth of such organisms, which then 
become a very serious menace. Prolapses of the large intestine are 
generally least troublesome. In the horse, prolapse of the large intes¬ 
tine or caecum, following injury to the under portion of the abdominal 
walls, is more easily reduced and kept in position than that of the small 
intestine, because the colic mesentery is shorter than that of the small 
intestine, and the viscus projects less, hence there is less risk of 
infectious organisms being introduced into the abdominal cavity. 
Drolshagen treated a foal, which had been wounded by a horn thrust; 
the omentum and bowel were prolapsed, the extruded bowel, which was 
as large round as a bee-hive, hindered the animal’s movements, and 
compelled it to lie down frequently. After thorough cleansing the bowel 
was returned, a portion of the omentum cut off, the wound sutured, and 
a dressing applied. Though it had a few slight attacks of colic, the 
patient appeared restored to health in three weeks, but four months 
afterwards it died. Post-mortem showed that the small intestine had 
