TREATMENT OF PELVIC HERNIA. 
307 
though occasionally it may be confused with invagination of the bowel 
(compare with this), or with other kinds of incarceration. Anker saw 
strangulation caused in one case by a hole in the round uterine ligament. 
Lindenberg states having seen similar symptoms from rectal obstruction. 
Examination of the rectum always gives the neces¬ 
sary information. 
Treatment. In fresh cases reposition may be 
attempted by raising the hindquarters or walking 
the animal down-hill, but little time should be lost 
in such attempts, because taxis becomes more difficult 
and dangerous the longer the malposition exists. 
(1) Reicherter and others have suggested perform¬ 
ing taxis through the rectum. When the incar¬ 
cerated portion of bowel is not much distended, this 
may succeed, but later becomes impossible. Whilst 
Reicherter states having thus cured sixteen animals, 
others have altogether questioned the efficacy or 
possibility of the operation. In making the attempt, 
the animal must be placed with the fore legs lower 
than the hind; the loins pressed upon, to prevent 
arching of the back, the hand introduced into the 
rectum, and efforts made to thrust the strangulated 
bowel forward and so to free it. To prevent the 
animal lying down during operation a sack may be 
passed under the body and held on either side by one 
or two men ; full-grown animals can be pressed against 
a wall by means of a long stout pole laid along the 
body. Losch claims to have reduced the hernia in 
two cases by throwing the animal down, tying the fore 
and hind limbs respectively together, and thrusting a 
pole between them in the long axis of the body. The 
abdominal contents were then vigorously kneaded and 
moved about, the legs meanwhile being raised and 
lowered by means of the pole. 
(2) Others recommend rupturing the spermatic cord 
from the rectum. Schenk states having grasped the 
cord with the extended left hand, and having drawn it so far backwards 
that it broke in two ; some operators recommend placing the thumb 
against it and pressing forwards to effect rupture. In any case, it is of 
importance to protect the rectum, which is best effected by Schenk s 
method owing to the broad surface employed. 
(3) Whilst Anker states having thus invariably succeeded, others have 
failed to produce the desired rupture, and have proceeded to open the 
x 2 
Fig. 134.—Anker’s 
guarded knife for 
pelvic hernia. 
