Monro, Alexander: Observations On Crural Hernia: To Which Is Prefixed, A General Account Of The Other Varieties Of Hernia: Illustrated By Engravings (Edinburgh [u.a.], 1803)

21

side, or under part of the herniary sac. In such
a case, the hernia cannot be reduced ; nor can
presslire be applied in such a manner as to pre-
vent the other bowels from descending into the
sac.
The interlines are sometimes of a dark brown
or black colour, although no mortification has
taken place. This is chiefly owing to the veins
of the loose internal cellular coat being gorged
with blood, the colour of which mines through
the other coats of the bowels ; and also to a si-
milar circumstance on the surface of the intes-
tine; in this instance, the blood having been
previously presTed out of the veiiels, they soon
fill again. When mortisication has arYecled the
bowels, it renders them so tender and ssabby,
that, when handled, they tear like a piece of
wetted paper *.
In some cases, mortification is the means by
which the patient's life is protracted : For, in
some instances of the inguinal hernia, it happens,
b iij that
* Vid. Diagnosis,.for an account of the other symptoms of moi%
tification of the bowels.