VAGINAL OVARIOTOMY IN THE MARE. 101 



be made in the operation. The ballooning of the vagina 

 profoundly alters the relation of this operative area, OA, 

 Plate XV, and changes it from the horizontal in the quies- 

 cent organ to the perpendicular in the ballooned conditioned. 

 These variations permit two methods of operation, on the 

 quiescent organ where the incision must be upwards, and on 

 the " ballooned " or erected, where it must be directed for- 

 wards. We follow the latter, because since the "balloon- 

 ing " can always be induced, the operation can thus be made 

 uniform in all cases, and we believe it safer and more readily 

 performed. The operation should always be performed on 

 the standing animal, and stocks constitute the proper form 

 of restraint. It can be performed under other means of re- 

 straint, even in the recumbent animal, but it is inadvisable 

 and greatly increases the difficulties and dangers. Secure 

 in the stocks with the head elevated, a rope over the back to 

 prevent rearing, straps beneath the body to prevent lying 

 down, straps or ropes before and behind the animal to pre- 

 vent backward and forward movements, all four feet pinioned 

 to the floor, and the tail firmly secured and stretched to a 

 beam above. 



With soap, water and brush cleanse the tail, perineum and 

 vulva thoroughly, being especially careful to remove all 

 detachable masses of sebum ; 50 per cent, alcohol may be 

 used sparingly to aid in removing this. Too free a use of 

 alcohol excoriates the delicate skin. Cleanse the clitoris 

 carefully. Follow the washing with a free application of 

 1:1000 aqueous sublimate solution to the external parts and 

 for a short distance inside the vtilvar lips and to the clitoris. 

 Do not introduce disinfectants into the healthy vagina nor 

 deeply into the vulva as it will cause severe straining during 

 and subsequent to the operation and by injuring the vulvo- 

 vaginal mucosa favor subsequent infection of the vaginal 

 wound. Wash away the sublimate solution with a tepid .6 

 per cent, soda bicarbonate solution, and fill the vulvo-vaginal 



