H. F. JAMES. 
537 
OPERATION FOR OSCHEOCELE, 
By H. F. James —Student Ontario Veterinary College. 
The other day I noticed in an American exchange, an article 
explaining the method of operating for scrotal hernia, and rec¬ 
ommending what is usually known as the covered operation, viz., 
cutting through the scrotum, severing its connection with the 
tunica vaginalis, and placing the clamp on the cord, including, of 
course, the vaginal tunic. From the experience and teaching of 
Professor Smith, and my own slight acquaintance with the opera¬ 
tion, I am of opinion that this method might be dispensed with 
in a great many instances, and would prefer the simpler procedure 
of returning the intestine, and enclosing scrotum and all under a 
clamp, this being placed as close to the ring as possible. Prof. 
Smith has repeatedly operated in this manner, with the happiest 
results. In one case, a stallion, the hernia was of great size, ex¬ 
tending down two-thirds of the way to the hock. This animal 
was fed sparingly for a few days in order to relieve the intestines 
as much as possible. Pie was then cast and secured, and the bowels 
being returned to the abdominal cavity by careful manipulation, a 
16-inch wooden clamp was placed close to the ring, including scro¬ 
tum and cord. Scarcely any constitutional symptoms were shown. 
In a short time the parts sloughed off, and a perfect recovery was 
the result. In this case, especially, Professor Smith feels convinced 
that the covered operation would have been attended with unfav¬ 
orable results. About the beginning of December, a grey draught 
gelding, five years old, was admitted to the hospital of the On¬ 
tario Veterinary College, with the object of being treated for bi¬ 
lateral scrotal hernia of some standing, and on the 10th of De¬ 
cember he was brought out for operation, cast, and firmly secured. 
Professor Smith then proceeded, by manipulating the scrotum, 
to break down any adhesion which might have taken place, reduc¬ 
ing the hernia, and applying a 10-inch plain wooden clamp on 
each side, further strengthening by putting a metallic skewer, 
secured by a figure 8 ligature, through the skin immediately below 
each clamp. One hour after the operation, he showed some little 
