diseases of the digestive organs.

50 DISEASES OF CATTLE.GUT-TIF—1'EIUTONEAL IIEHNIA.In peritoneal hernia of the ox a loop or knuckle of intestine entersfrom the abdomen into a rent in that part of the peritoneum which issituated at the margin of the hip bone and passes under the remains ofthe spermatic cord. After the tearing of the peritoneum the spermaticcord is partially separated from its former points of attachment, so asto form a loose band. The portion of intestine is pressed through theperitoneal opening into the pelvis, and frequently curves or windsbehind the spermatic cord and is pressed forward in a direction oppositeto that it followed when entering the peritoneal rent. The onwardpressure of the bowel, as well as the occasional turning of the latterround the spermatic cord, is the cause of the cord exercising considerablepressure on the bowel, which occasions irritation, obstructs thepassage of excrement, and excites inflammation, which terminates ingangrene and death.The tearing of this fold of peritoneum generally occurs on the right side,not on the left, as incorrectly stated by Youatt, and the reason of its occurringgenerally on the right side is that the bowels are mostly situated onthat side of tbe abdomen, while the paunch occupies the left side andextends to the entrance of the pelvis. (Plate I.) The rent in theperitoneum is situated at the upper and front part of the pelvis, nearerto the sacrum than the pubis. Besides the form of peritoneal herniaalready described there is a second form, which occurs as follows:After castration the spermatic cord retracts into the abdomen onaccount of its elasticity, and its freshly-cut end becomes adherent tothe peritoneum, leaving a free space between it and the peritoneum,however through which a part of the intestine may enter, but can notslip out again, on account of its subsequent increase in size. It alsohappens that the free end of the spermatic cord may become adherentin such a way that it forms a cord or band around the bowel, causingstrangulation. This last form seems to have led to the appellation ofgut-tie being applied to this accident. It may be mentioned that peritonealhernia may occur on the left side, though this rarely happens.Causes.—Among the causes of peritoneal hernia considerable importanceis attached to a method of castration which is practiced in certaindistricts, viz., the tearing or rupturing of the spermatic cord bymain force, instead of dividing it at a proper distance above the testiclein a surgical manner. After this violent and rough method of operating,the cord retracts into the abdomen and its stump becomes adherentto some part of the peritoneum, or it may wind around the bowelami then the stump becomes adherent so that strangulation of thebowel results. The rough dragging on the cord may also cause a tearm the peritoneum, the result of which need not be described. Thesevere exertion of ascending hills and mountains, drawing heavy loads,or the straining which oxen undergo while fighting each other, may alsogive rise to peritoneal hernia,