LUMBAR HERNTA.—ThiS rare form of hernia emerges in the region of Petit's triangle, after passing through the lum bar fascia near the quadrates lumborum, and may result from strains, wounds, abscesses, or may appear spontaneously, especially in people of advanced age. It is easily reduced and retained by an ap propriate belt.
Record of 29 eases of lumbar hernia. The small triangular space bounded by the external oblique and latissimus dorsi muscles and the crest of the ilium (Petit's triangle), it is generally as sumed, constitutes a relatively weak spot, in time abdominal wall, and that her nial protrusion may occur here, but that strangulation of the contained intestine is very unlikely to develop. Out of the 29 eases 16 developed spontaneously, or were attributed to strain. and all were in adults or elderly subjects. Males and females appear to be equally liable to lumbar hernia. Seven eases of appar ently spontaneous origin were on the left side, 4 on the right. In 6 eases (about 20 per cent.) the hernia followed
in the track of a previous abscess or sinus-4 in males and 2 in females. In 5 eases the hernia was due to wound or other severe traumatism of the loin. and 2 were reported as congenital. A well made abdominal belt is efficient in pre venting protrusion. Hutchinson (Brit. Med. Jour., July 13, 'S9).
Study of lumbar hernia in 53 reporte eases. Lumbar hernia divided into fonr groups,—those due to traumatism. those following abscesses, those which are spontaneous, and those which are con genital : 10 followed traumatism and 19 followed abscesses, the majority occurring through Petit's triangle. The congenital variety is due to lack of ribs or part of the abdominal wall. These conditions must be differentiated from psendohernihernia-like ectasia of the abdominal wall, due to weakness and atrophy of the abdominal musele-.. Borchardt (Berliner Min. Wochen., Dec. 16, 1901).