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Show 166 axrmmnon or THE 'rasrrcu. Having done this, and the testicle now hanging by the cord, he may take up such bleeding arteries in the scrotum as seem of sufiicient importance to require this; and I have to add, that a little attention and deliberation in taking up these ves- 0F HERNIA. sels, may save both patient and surgeon from much distress, especially if the integuments have been thick, and the tumour large and of long standing. CHAPTER I. Lastly, having the cord betwixt his fingers, and with the before-mentioned precautions, he either ties and cuts the cord, or he cuts it and secures the arteries. Perhaps it will be found that the adhesive straps lie very ill upon the scrotum; and therefore we bring the lips of the wound together, by two or three stitches. Putting over it a light compress of lint, and a more elastic covering of tow; the bandage is then brought out, and being pinned to the band round the waste, secures the whole, ENTRODUCTORY VIEW OF THE SUBJECT OF HERNIA, ch'inition-Varietios of the Disease-0f Obstructions of the Intestinal Canal, which in their Symptoms resemble Hernia-Of the Cause of Death-Cause of Strangulalion-Of Incarceration and irreducible Strangulation. : u a were. MM" DEFI-NITI ON. IIERNI.& is the escape of a bowel from the natural boundaries which contain it. When I say the boundaries which contain it, I understand the walls of the abdomen-0r of the thorax-or the skull ; not the general investing membrane of those cavities, as they are called ; for the membrane is carried before the protruded bowel, and forms its proper sac. The bowels in their natural situation are exposed to considerable pressure, and the occasional increase of this press- ure is the immediate cause of hernia. The part which has prolapsed, or is protruded, suffers a less degree of general pressure than in its former seat, otherwise indeed it could not have been protruded, nor could we say with propriety that it had escaped. . Further, although after the hernia has come out, it lies in an inelastic membrane and cellular substance, yet this sub- |