OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW. 109 



28. OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW BY THE FLANK. 



Instruments. Clipping shears, convex scalpel, spaying 

 shears, heavy needle and thread. 



Uses. Same as the preceding, applicable to heifers or to 

 cows when the vulva is too small to admit the operator's 

 hand or in case of diseased vagina or uterus. 



The animal may be secured as in the preceding or con- 

 fined in lateral recumbency with the hind legs extended 

 backward and the anterior limbs forward. To accomplish 

 this loop a rope about the two fore feet, another about the 

 two hind feet, and drawing upon these, cast the animal and 

 secure it in recumbency with the legs extended and body 

 stretched by fastening the ropes to two strong posts about 

 8 to 10 m. apart. The operation may be performed in either 

 flank. 



Clip the hair from the upper part of the flank, disinfect 

 an area 15 to 25 cm. square and make an incision about 12 

 cm. long beginning at a point equi-distant from the anterior 

 tuberosity of the ilium, the ends of the transverse processes 

 of the lumbar vertebrae and the last rib and extend it down- 

 ward perpendicularly severing the skin and subcutaneous 

 muscle. Divide the external oblique muscle in the direction 

 of its fibres by means of the scalpel handle or the fingers 

 and repeat the process upon the internal oblique muscle after 

 which puncture the peritoneum either with the scalpel or by 

 means of a sudden thrust with the index finger. Force one 

 hand through the opening into the peritoneal cavity and 

 search for the ovaries at the same point and by the same 

 method as in the preceding operation, that is, locate the 

 uterus within the pelvic cavity, between the rectum and 

 bladder and trace the former and thence the cornu, oviduct 

 and broad ligament to the ovary. The uppermost ovary 

 can be drawn out through the wound and cut off with the 

 scissors ; the lower one must be held with one hand and the 



