DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
925 
hernia, while only as light upward movement is observed if the 
tumefaction is confined to the testicle. The judicious applica¬ 
tion of this method, together with the rectal exploration, offers 
the only possibilities in the diagnosis of obscure scrotal tumors. 
Painful tumefactions of the scrotum demand even more care¬ 
ful scrutiny. Until their true character is revealed they must 
be regarded with the greatest and gravest suspicion. A sus¬ 
pected orchitis or funiculitis may prove subsequently to be the 
incipient stage of a strangulation. The pyrexia, celialgia, local 
hyperesthesia and anorexia observed in strangulated hernia are 
seen also in orchitis and therefore do not serve the purpose of 
differentiation in the incipient stage, and as the life of the pa¬ 
tient will depend upon an early diagnosis, procrastination is a 
dangerous element. Even when oedema and pain do not pre¬ 
vent satisfactory external palpation, the rectal exploration will 
again materially assist in reaching a logical conclusion. Again, 
the colicky pain of hernia must be recognized from the mani¬ 
festation of distress produced by a painful orchitis. 
If the above constitute the best methods of diagnosing scro¬ 
tal hernia at our command, we are still without a universally 
satisfactory means of arriving at an accurate diagnosis. There 
are irreducible scrotal hernia that cannot be diagnosed until an 
incision is made into the scrotum. The orifice mav be too 
small to recognize per rectum, and as external palpation will 
not reduce them, even the experienced may fail to differentiate 
readily. 
Treatment .—The scrotal or inguinal hernia of working 
geldings that is nominal in size, might well be left alone for 
strategical reasons, but where they show an inclination to grow 
larger and larger, or are the source of frequent colics, operative 
treatment may then be recommended. Williams referred to an 
escheocele extending to the hocks, that gave the animal only 
nominal inconvenience. Laxative diet, regular though only 
moderate work, are essential precautionary measures. In do¬ 
mestic animals further palliative treatment is ineffectual. The 
truss of the human surgeon cannot be adjusted to the inguinal 
canal of the quadruped. 
In the breeding stallion (a bad horse tjo recommend) the diet 
must be carefully attended to and all violent exercise avoided. 
There is no satisfactory method of reducing the hernia and at 
the same time preserve the testicle, and even when it is decided 
to sacrifice the testicle the very best the veterinary surgeon can 
•do in 90 per cent, of the cases is to transform a scrotal hernia 
