TREATMENT OF NON-STRANGULATED INGUINAL HERNIA. 
spermatic cord are continuously rubbed. The stallion is starved for two 
or three days, the rectum emptied by means of clysters, the animal cast, 
placed on its back, and the hind-quarters drawn up. The testicle is 
now drawn forward with one hand, whilst the thumb, index, and middle 
finger of the other are employed in rubbing the spermatic cord until 
marked swelling appears. The animal is allowed to rise quietly, and 
during the first three days is sparingly fed, and only walked when 
exercised. Animals are said to be cured in twelve days; but though 
this is possible, it is certain that failures often result. 
(b) Bagge’s method is similar. After replacing the hernia, a woollen 
band is tied round the scrotum, in the neighbourhood of the inguinal 
ring, and allowed to remain on for eight hours, when a swelling is 
found to have been produced, and the band is removed. Btecovery 
occurs in six to eight days. Bagge states having thus cured nine 
stallions in one day (?). 
In this connection, Krnckow’s procedure may be referred to even though 
the method be not usually possible. In a fresh case of inguinal hernia 
Kruckow thrust the displaced portion of intestine, together with the testicle, 
back into the abdominal cavity, after which the intestine did not return. The 
scrotum was rubbed with diluted sulphuric acid. This report is open to 
question, for two reasons—firstly, it is certainly only in exceptional cases 
possible to thrust the testicle into the abdominal cavity through the inguinal 
canal, and even if this were always practicable, the absence of the spermatic 
cord from the abdominal ring must greatly favour recurrence. 
(2) Treatment by closure or narrowing of the processus vaginalis. 
(a) Foelen has recommended the application of irritants to the 
scrotum in the neighbourhood of the inguinal ring, as in treating um¬ 
bilical hernise. The ointment he uses consists of 1 part of cantharides, 
2*5 parts of euphorbium, 15 parts of fat, and 1*5 parts of verdigris ; it 
may be applied without casting the animal by drawing the testicle 
downwards, thus rendering the skin of the scrotum tense. The appli¬ 
cation should be made once daily, until the epidermis becomes loosened, 
which usually happens in ten to twelve days. The parts are then 
washed with lukewarm water, and when the inflammation has dis¬ 
appeared the infrictions are recommenced, until in four to six weeks the 
rupture has disappeared. Degive also recommends this method, though 
it is of little use in animals more than four to six months old. 
(i b ) The application of clams. This is very generally practised, and 
resembles the covered method of castration. The hernia is reduced 
and the clams applied as high, that is, as near to the inguinal ring, 
as possible, and over the tunica vaginalis and spermatic cord. In 
order to be able to apply the clams very high it has been recommended 
to give them a bent form, but this is not desirable, because the centre 
portion does not press sufficiently on the tunica vaginalis. A simpler 
