516 
EXTRACTS FROM GERMAN PERIODICALS. 
From the character and extent of the infection, it is highly 
probable that the organisms had been primarily acquired through 
the act of copulation; and, secondarily, by some imperfection in 
the epithelium forming the cutis .—Deutsche Ztsch . /. Thiermed . 
SCROTAL HERNIA IN A GELDING. 
In veterinary literature the weight of opinion, as given by the 
greatest number of writers, is that scrotal hernia occurs only in 
the stallion, and that when found in the gelding it is immediately 
subsequent to castration. After this operation the inguinal canal 
has not had sufficient opportunity to become effaced. 
It may be, therefore, that the communication of a case, occur- 
ing contrary to all known history, may be of general interest. . > 
An eight-year old gelding, of good proportions and strongly 
made, was harnessed to a plough in the fall of the year, and used 
in a field in which numerous stumps and roots of fallen trees ob¬ 
structed the way; over one of these latter the animal fell, but 
quickly thereafter arose. In attempting to urge the horse he 
moved only slowly, and when halted evinced so great a reckless¬ 
ness that it was advisable to put him in the stable. 
Arriving there the animal at once lay upon his spine and 
maintained this position for some time; after this he suddenly 
regained his feet and seemed as sound as before the accident. 
Several hours later the same symptoms became evident; the 
animal again becoming unquiet and assuming a dorsal position, 
remained so until free from all pain. At each time these periodic 
pains occured there could be noticed a swelling some ten inches 
in diameter, which protruded from the abdomen in the inguinal 
region and which disappeared when the patient reclined. Aboul 
six weeks after the first attack the horse was led to me late one 
evening with the history that he was subject to attacks of colic 
at irregular intervals, which the owner feared would cause hi* 
sudden death. 
The next morning we were able to confirm the facts as relatec 
the night before, even to the smallest detail. 
Before proceeding with an operation we had given the patien 
