SYMPTOMS OF INGUINAL HERNIA. 
283 
constitute the rule. Sometimes both intestine and omentum aie piesent 
in the sac, which is formed by the processus vaginalis, tunica daitos, 
and skin. 
Symptoms. The scrotum is increased in size by the entrance of visceia, 
but to a very varying degree; in cases a careful search may be lequiied 
to detect the rupture, while in others the swelling extends below the 
hocks, and attains the size of a sugar loaf. Degive saw a hernial sac, 
16 inches in depth and 8 in width, containing 27 pints of fluid, and 
others as large have been seen. 
The swelling has the general characters of a rupture, is elastic, soft, 
and, if omental, somewhat doughy. It is yielding and disappears on 
pressure, or on the animal being placed on its back, leaving the sac 
empty except for the testicle, which, in old inguinal hernise, is usually 
atrophied and flaccid. A coil of intestine may sometimes be detected 
in the scrotum, and, according to Boulet, always lies on the inner side 
of the spermatic cord. The swelling is increased by exertion, by the 
action of the abdominal muscles, or by coughing. A tympanitic tone on 
percussion and rumbling betray the presence of air or gases. In geld¬ 
ings the neck of the hernial swelling is of considerable size, and appears 
firmer, in consequence of being surrounded by omentum. 
The detection of so-called incomplete inguinal hernise is very difficult. 
In these cases the spermatic cord is usually abnormally thickened, either 
from oedema following pressure by the hernial contents on the vessels of 
the cord, or from hypertrophy of the cremaster in consequence of increased 
work. The former is therefore commoner in recent inguinal herniae, the 
latter in old ones. 
Doubtful cases can be cleared up by a rectal examination. 
In recent inguinal herniae with commencing strangulation, the liind- 
limbs are generally moved stiffly, the toes dragged, and the limbs turned 
outwards, the breathing is rapid, the animal stretches out, shows slight 
colic, and draws up the testicle of the affected side; Girard regards the 
latter symptom as pathognomonic. These signs either vanish m a few 
days, or symptoms of severe strangulation set in. 
In inguinal, as in other herniae, strangulation is generally first signa¬ 
lised by attacks of colic, and therefore it is a good practical rule always to 
examine the scrotum in stallions suffering from colic. The horse, under 
these circumstances, usually stretches out or sits on his hind-quaiteis 
like a dog. lessen saw vomiting, and though, as a rule, this only occurs 
in rupture of the stomach, it must not be forgotten that such rupture is 
tolerably frequent in this disease. 
A second group of symptoms indicative of incarceration aie found m 
the changes undergone by the scrotum. The hernial swelling becomes 
larger, harder, tenser, and more painful, and can no longer be compressed 
