INGUINAL HERNIA (see Fig. 1) is more common than all other forms of
rupture. It is more frequently met with in men, and when severe there is
usually a mass of intestine which falls into the scrotum and has an evil
effect, by pressing upon the testicle. The protrusion follows the
spermatic vessels and hence it usually appears low down in the abdomen
and on one or both sides of the pubic bone.

FEMORAL HERNIA (see Fig. 2), most common in women of mature life, is
felt as a lump below the strong ligament in the groin which forms the
line of separation between the thigh and the abdomen. On its outer side
and close to it can be felt the beating or pulsation of the large artery
of the thigh.

UMBILICAL HERNIA (see Fig. 3) appears at or near the navel and is most
common in children. It may be present from birth, or it may result from
fretting and crying at any period of childhood.

[Illustration: Fig. 3.

UMBILICAL HERNIA.

Sketched from a case subsequently
cured by our new method.]

Sufferers from any form of rupture are constantly subject to the danger
of strangulation. This occurs when, from any cause the free return of
the contents of the protruded part of the intestine is prevented. It is
an accident of a serious nature, inasmuch as nearly fifty per cent. die
if not carefully operated upon, and with the most skillful treatment,
one in four cases terminates in death.

Every individual should guard against rupture by maintaining, by proper
exercise, diet, and rest, a condition of vigor and tonicity of the
muscular system.

When debilitated, all strains and exertions should be care fully avoided
until the health is built up, and the relaxation overcome.

TREATMENT. The palliative treatment of hernia is by _reduction_ and
_retention_. Reduction consists in returning the protruding intestine to
its proper place through the opening by which it escaped. This is
accomplished either by manipulation or by a surgical operation.
Retention is effected by wearing a mechanical appliance called a
_truss_.

As soon as the tumor protrudes, or the "bowel comes down," the patient
should assume the recumbent posture, with his shoulders and feet
elevated. The patient or an attendant should grasp the hernia, and with
gentle, but gradually increasing pressure upon the tumor attempt to
replace it. At the same time let the patient knead the bowels upward by
pressing upon the integument, so that the intestine may, as far as
possibl