INGUINAL HERNIA IN YOUNG PIGS.
One of the most frequent forms of hernia which the practitioner is called on to treat is inguinal hernia in young pigs. Although this allows little tendency towards strangulation it is always desirable to operate, as otherwise the patients develop badly. There is no difficulty in this, though the animals must be cast and placed on their backs, the hind quarters being raised (Fig. 305).
First stage. A longer or shorter cutaneous incision over the neck of the hernia and along its greater curvature.
Second stage. Isolation of the hernial sac, consisting of the dilated internal sheath.
Third stage. Direct reduction of the hernia without opening the sac, provided no adhesions occur, or, in the event of adhesions, after incision of the sac.
Fourth stage. Torsion of the hernial sac and of the testicular cord up to the inguinal ring. Application of a catgut or silk ligature around the sac and cord at the level of the inguinal ring.
Fifth stage. Fixation of the ligature to the lips of the ring. Suture of the skin wound, and drainage of the wound with a strip of iodoform gauze.
IMPERFORATE ANUS.
This anomaly of development, which is not uncommon, presents two different degrees of development.
In the first degree the rectum is well formed, and extends as far as the skin below the base of the tail.