VAGINAL OVARIOTOMY IN THE MARE. 103 



incision, then a second and third finger, and eventually 

 holding all the fingers in the form of a cone push the entire 

 hand into the peritoneal cavity. Immediately below the in- 

 cision and continuous with the tissues involved in the wound 

 lies the uterus with a transverse diameter of 4 to 6 cm. 

 With the palm of the hand downwards, trace the uterus, 

 U, Plate XV, forward a distance of 15 to 1 8 cm., where it 

 ends abruptly in two cornua of about the same size as the 

 uterus, which are given off horizontally at almost right 

 angles. Trace these to the right and left for a distance of 

 14 or 15 cm., where they end obtusely, and 3 or 4 cm. be- 

 yond this in a direct line, resting upon the anterior border 

 of the broad ligament is the dense oval ovary varying in size 

 from 2.5 to 7 cm. in diameter. Withdrawing the hand, 

 carry the ecraseur enclosed within it through the vaginal 

 wound to the region of the ovary, release the ecraseur and 

 retrace the parts if necessary, and locating the ovary drop 

 the chain over it from above and either grasp it with the 

 fingers through the chain from above and draw it into the 

 loop or passing one or two fingers around beneath the ovary 

 push it up through the loop to be grasped by the thumb and 

 index finger above. The chain loop should be of barely 

 sufficient size to admit of the easy passage of the ovary. 

 Holding the ovary with one hand tighten the chain quickly 

 with the other, examine to make sure that a loop of intes- 

 tine is not caught, draw the ovary well through and get a 

 large portion of the oviduct, and cut off promptly, holding 

 to the ovary until carried out through the vulva. Remove 

 the other ovary in the same way. Generally it is most con- 

 venient to remove the left ovary with right hand and vice- 

 versa, but both may be removed with either hand. Wash 

 away any blood from external parts, apply sublimate solu- 

 tion freely to the vulva, perineum and tail. Keep the pa- 

 tient quiet for five or six days, and feed lightly on a laxative 

 diet. 



