Hernia

Escape of an organ or ti ue from its normal position in such a manner that the parts involved form a sort of sac: usually rupture or pa age of a loop of the intestine out of the abdomen, pushing the skin and muscles ahead of it, so as to form a soft elastic swelling. It is called inguinal when in the groin, femoral when in the upper part of the thigh, scrotal when into the scrotum, and umbilical when at the umbilicus or navel. It is also found in many other localities, which give it many other titles; the above are the most common and most important. It is almost invariably due to congenital weakne of the abdominal wall at the point of occurrence, though a violent strain may cause it. It becomes strangulated when the return of the intestines into the abdomen is impo ible; under such conditions death may result from obstruction of the intestine or gangrene. It may ordinarily be cured, if taken in time, by a properly fitting tru , or by an operation which closes the opening in the abdominal wall.