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TREATMENT OF UMBILICAL HERNIA. 
The peritoneum may be incised without grave risk, as shown hy 
various observations: Degive operates in this way; Wiesner lately 
reported such a case, though it is clear that healing is not so simple 
as in Siedamgrotzky’s method. The foal operated on was very unwell 
for the next few days, whilst in herniotomia externa, scarcely any 
feverish disturbance was noticeable. Frohner operated under strict 
antisepsis, sutured the abdominal wound, and effected healing by first 
intention in ten days. 
Should the hernia be adherent, which is not uncommon after the use 
of acids or other irritants, it is better to limit the opening in the peri¬ 
toneal cavity. Degive proceeds as follows :—The hernial sac is opened 
under antiseptic precautions and the peritoneum cut through only far 
enough to admit the finger, so as to separate the adherent portions; 
scissors may also be used. The sac is afterwards ligatured in sections, as 
above described. (For another method see section on “ Ventral Hernia.”) 
The cutting operation is not suitable in large herniae, especially if the rup¬ 
ture be circular, because of the difficulty in uniting the edges of the ring ; 
in such cases it is better to use irritants supplemented by bandages. 
The animal should be prepared for operation by reducing the diet, 
giving easily digestible and concentrated food, and administering a 
purgative to empty the bowel. Similar dietetic precautions should be 
continued for some days after operation. The bed should be of good 
clean straw, and it may be necessary to tie up the horse for several days. 
In small animals (dogs) irritants cannot be employed on account of 
their being licked off. Operative interference is here easier, but it must 
not be forgotten that many animals will not endure bandages, clams, 
threads, &c., but will at once tear them off. In such animals the radical 
operation is therefore preferable, and as far as possible one should avoid 
opening the peritoneal cavity. Dogs may receive a strong dose of 
morphine to quiet them, following which they generally sleep for 
twenty-four hours. The greatest pain has then disappeared, but it may 
occasionally be necessary to watch the animal continuously. 
YII.—INGUINAL HERNIA, SCROTAL HERNIA (HERNIA 
INGUINALIS, HERNIA SCROTALIS). 
Passage of abdominal contents through the inner abdominal ring into 
the processus vaginalis constitutes inguinal hernia. Should the viscus 
attain the scrotum, the condition is termed scrotal hernia. As the inner 
abdominal ring only remains open in male animals and in bitches, they 
alone suffer from inguinal herniae. The horizontal position of the body 
in domestic animals is less favourable to the production of inguinal 
hernia than the perpendicular one in man. It occurs in horses and 
