- TRUSS, an instrument employed in the palliative treatment of hernia (q.v.), with the view of preventing its descent, and in some cases of effecting a permanent cure. It con sists essentially of a pad or cushion attached to a metallic spring, with straps so arranged that its position may be retained during the varied postures of the body. The necessity of having recourse to a suitable truss the moment that the slightest protrusion shows itself in any of the parts liable to hernia, cannot be too strongly urged as a matter of necessary general knowledge. At whatever period of life a hernia occurs; if properly attended to, and judiciously supported, it usually gives little trouble, and if it occurs in early life, it may often be cured; whereas, if it be neglected, increase of bulk, and sub sequently, diseased states of the parts, often terminating in death, will almost certainly occur. A surgeon should always be consulted in the choice of the instrument. " The practice," says Mr. Birkett, "of leaving cases of rupture in the bands of mere tradesmen cannot be too strongly censured. Among the poor we constantly observe the lamentable
effects of this proceeding." Many varieties of trusses have been invented. Mr. King don, surgeon to the city of London truss society, considers that the " circular spring truss" is the most suitable form in the majority of cases. There are occasional cases in the common truss fails to support a rupture comfortably, and in these cases various instruments, for the most part the property of special instrument-makers, are often ser viceable; and the surgeon should he acquainted with the peculiarities of the pieces of apparatus known as the Mocmain lever truss, Coles's truss (with a spiral spring acting on the pad), Salmon and Ody's self-adjusting truss, Eggs's truss, etc. The patient must expect to find the truss somewhat uncomfortable for a week or two, but will soon get used to it. The skin of the part upon which it presses should be regularly washed and bathed with eau de Cologne or spirit, as, without this precaution, boils are apt to form on it.