32 
A TREATISE ON INGUIN AL HERNI/E. 
struggling or flinging about at the time he is released to rise up. He will 
require the same subsequent care and treatment as has before been detailed 
in speaking of the operation for chronic hernia; only observing that this is a 
case in which relapse of the hernia is more to be dreaded, and consequently 
one that requires more attention. 
“ By the chirurgical means stated, we can at all times succeed in re¬ 
ducing the structured hernial viscus; but the result can prove favourable 
only in cases free from sphacelus: whenever the hernial production has 
proved gangrenous, the operation can neither prevent, arrest, or retard death; 
an event which commonly happens some hours after the reduction. In man, 
in many cases, we can establish an artificial anus. And indeed, after¬ 
wards, by Dupuytren’s procedure, sometimes succeed in again restoring the 
natural passage. It is conceived, without thinking it necessary to state 
the reason, that such practice is not available in the horse. This teaches 
us that the operation for a recent strangulated enteroceie cannot be delayed 
but with the utmost danger. In fine, a gut once strangulated becomes the 
seat of pains rapidly augmenting and producing most violent efforts; the 
stercoral matters, forced onward by the peristaltic motion, accumulate 
within the portion of gut incarcerated within the inguinal canal, and 
therein add aggravation to the case. The parts, so swift to take on gan¬ 
grene, are most urgent in calling for relief; and which can be given in no 
other way than by setting them free from strangulation/* 
Whenever the testicle is not removed, the opening in the scro¬ 
tum is to be closed by suture. Commonly, afterwards, adhesion 
takes place between the testicle and its vaginal tunic. M. Gi¬ 
rard relates several cases exemplifying these operative measures. 
In one instance, in consequence of the incisions being too freely 
extended, the operation, which was concluded by the removal of 
the testicle of the hernial side a decouvert , was speedily followed 
by “ eve ntr at ion ,small intestines appeared at the wound, 
and were further protruded by every successive heave at the 
flank, until they reached the ground, every resistent effort proving 
fruitless. In another case, laceration of the stricture took place 
at the moment of the fingers being insinuated under it, thereby 
superseding the necessity of using any cutting instrument: it is a 
practice however, as our author veiy properly observes, which is 
not to be imitated. 
OPERATION FOR THE HERNIA OF CASTRATION. 
If any one part of the investigation in which we are at present 
engaged be of more importance than another to the English ve¬ 
terinarian, it is probably the section of the chapter of operations to 
which we are now arrived. But last month only, Mr. W. Good¬ 
win reminded us of the melancholy end of Leopold, Reviewer, and 
one or two other highly valuable racers ; and this month (as if by 
a sort of literary synchronism) we find ourselves engaged in in¬ 
quiring into the most effectual measures to be taken against such 
appalling consequences of an operation so generally practised as 
castration is in this country. 
