SOOIETr MEETINGS. 
519 
Minutes of last meeting were read, and on motion, adopted as read. 
The following paper on Hernia was then read by Dr. Faust, of Pough¬ 
keepsie : 
History and Treatment of Hernia. 
It is probable that the existence of hernia in animals was known as early as 
it was in human beings, although ancient veterinarians say nothing about their 
curatives through operation. 
Jordanus Ruff us, who lived in the thirteenth century, was probably the first 
man who operated on scrotal hernia, but he speaks of it in general as incurable. 
Solleysel, (1677), a blacksmith, invented a bandage in which the animal 
could work with all ease; he claims to have cured hernia with an astringent, but 
asserts that castration is the proper method of treatment. 
Robertson, (1767) mentions a number of cases of umbilical hernia, of un¬ 
usual large size, which were successfully treated with the bloody seam. 
Yitet, (1771), advises to enlarge the ring to permit the intestines to go back, 
and then use the quilted sutures in scrotal hernia, but acknowledges that the 
operation is very difficult, and the success doubtful. 
Lafosse, (1772), advises the seam over the opening of the rupture; also men¬ 
tions the treatment with a bandage in fresh cases, with good success ; if this fails 
close the ring with sutures. 
Wolstein, (1784), asserts that strangulated inguinal hernia can neither be suc¬ 
cessfully operated on, nor, through any other means, be cured ; and speaks of all 
minor ruptures as incurable. His opinion is that the use of bandages in young 
animals does more harm than good. 
Viborg, (1802), says that the closing up of the ring is the most difficult and 
dangerous method, but, at the same time, mentions that Abildgaard and Lund, of 
Spain, have, by this method, very successfnlly operated on horses. 
Schreger, (1803), used for umbilical hernia the seam or ligature; and on 
scrotal hernia, the ligature of the whole scrotum. 
Pilger, (1803), considers all bandages useless, but treats inguinal hernia by 
closing up the rings by sutures; and treats scrotal hernia by castration. 
Roupp, (1811), operated on a horse for inguinal hernia by the covered opera¬ 
tion, after replacing the intestines through the rectum. 
Colin and Delafoy, (1826), adopted the same method, with good success. 
Greve, (1821), considers the operation of large and chronic scrotal hernia very 
difficult, but a cure possible. He does not agree with Wolstein, who says that 
all ruptures are incurable. 
Girard, (1827), wrote an essay on inguinal hernia, in which he reported 
thirty-six cases. 
Renault, (1836), operated on two horses for strangulated inguinal hernia, after 
inflammation had set in, but without success. His opinion is that an operation 
before the inflammation sets in, if the intestines do not protrude too far, by an 
incision made in the flank, will successfully reduce the rupture; but an operation 
in that manner by Duttenhofer, (1838), was without success. 
Jessen, (1840), operated on thirty-nine horses with strangulated scrotal her¬ 
nia, and saved twenty-eight; his method is not mentioned. 
Elonet says, that during twenty-six years of practice he operated on three 
