34 
A TREATISE ON INGUINAL HERNIiE. 
“ This is an operation that cannot be undertaken with prospects of suc¬ 
cess but in cases presenting intervals of tranquillity ; in which the hernia is 
recent, not voluminous; and the viscus itself is free from every appearance 
of gangrene.” 
Two cases which occurred to M. Rey, V. S. at Castres, pre¬ 
sent pleasing examples of the efficacy of M. Girard’s practice. 
In both these cases, the enterocele presented itself during 
castration, but after the application of the clams. In the first, 
he succeeded in reduction without disturbing the clams ; and 
then, to guard against a second descent, with a long crooked 
needle, armed with a waxed end of considerable length, lie set five 
or six stitches through the scrotum, so as to sew it and the vagi- 
- nal tunic fast together. In the second case, he had to take off 
the clams to effect this, but he afterwards replaced them. The 
suture, by exciting inflammation, produces a general effusion into 
and adhesion between these parts, an effect which contributes 
much to the occlusion of the inguinal passages; it also acts as a 
temporary suspension bandage, preventing any fresh descent. 
The suture comes away of itself, from suppuration. Blood-letting 
may be called for: refrigerant lotions, spare diet, mucilaginous 
drinks, and injections, are always indicated. M. Girard justly ob¬ 
serves, “ that these cases of M. Rey’s are of so much the more 
importance to us, from the facts of enterocele following castration 
being the most fatal form of inguinal hernia, and that which re¬ 
quires the most prompt and skilful aid. They prove to us, that, 
so long as the hernia is recent, not complicated with strangulation, 
unattended with excessive pains, and undistended with gas and 
stercoral matters, there is a chance of our exertions being crowned 
with success.” 
ARTICLE IV.—The concluding section of the work before us 
is devoted to “ Considerations on Jurisprudence appli¬ 
cable to Inguinal Hernia;” apart we do not conceive it ne¬ 
cessary for us to analyse, for two reasons in the first place, it is 
of all others a case probably the most unlikely to occupy the atten¬ 
tion of an English court of judicature; and in the second, as what 
our author has written concerning it bears upon u le code 
civil” of France, it follows that much of his reasoning would not 
apply to our laws. We shall, therefore, here lay down our pen ; 
only observing, in taking leave of our author, that his u Treatise” 
is no less creditable to his country than meritorious to himself; 
and by us must be regarded as a valuable addition to our present 
stock of veterinary literature. 
