A TREATISE ON INGUINAL HERNLT:. 
417 
abstraction or destmction of that to which is owing its origin or 
continuance—in the present instance, to the release, either by 
reduction or abscission, of the displaced viscus. 
Epiplocele is dangerous only when complicated with other affec¬ 
tions; whereas enterocele is always a serious affair. The first 
concern of the veterinarian in these cases is his diagnostic; his 
next, the due appreciation and scientific employment of the dif¬ 
ferent resources furnished him by art for subduing the malady : 
the case, however, may be incurable, or of such a nature as would 
evince temerity in being undertaken with any prospect of re¬ 
covery. 
Astringent applications, and reduction, either by the taxis or the division 
of the stricture, comprise the means generally resorted to: veterinary sur¬ 
gery, unfortunately, furnishes us wish no trusses or suspensory bandages. 
At the very onset of an inguinal hernia, while the tumour is yet only visible 
at intervals, and the animal’s health continues unaflbeted, nothing more is 
commonly done than bathing the animal in some river, or using astringent 
fomentations or injeciions. 
These means, M. Girard, with much reason, adds, prove merely 
jpalUatwey answering no other end than staying for a while the 
progress of the hernia. He does not inform us how or when the 
injections are to be used. Does he intend them for the sheath? 
Or would he open the scrotum, and throw them into the cavity 
of the tunica vaginalis (as is done in human surgery for hydrocele), 
with a view of exciting adhesive effusion, and consequent obli¬ 
teration of the passages ? This latter expedient never struck us 
before ; but now it has suggested itself, we are disposed to regard 
it as worthy of future consideration. 
I.—OF REDUCTION BY THE TAXIS. 
By which is meant the return of the hernial part by the hand 
into the cavity of the belly. 
This is, in many cases, practicable, but very rarely proves efficacious; 
indeed, can only be so while the ring remains in its natural state, the hernia 
recent, and there is yet no stricture or impediment to the reception of the 
gut. Whenever the neck of the sac has become enlarged, the reduct'on 
can prove but temporary, unless it be followed by castration, the only means 
of causing contraction of the canal. If, after a thorough examination of the 
parts, reduction be considered practicable and profitable, no time should be 
lost. Should the animal quietly submit, the operation may be performed 
while he is standing, by introducing one hand into the rectum, and drawing 
up the protruded gut; in cases of resistance or difficulty, how ever, it is 
best to cast our patient, and then we may work with both hands at the same 
time, in a manner previously described. The operator will only recollect, 
.that force in drawing up the gut is to be avoided as much as possible, the 
consequences too often being inflammation, gangrene, rupture.’^ 
After the reduction, should there be any good reason to appre- 
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