CATTLE. 161 



derneath the rectum, where we find the comes de Vuterus (matrix); after 

 wc have ascertained the position of these viscera, we search for the 

 ovaries (organs of reproduction), which are at the extremity of the comes 

 and when we have found them, we seize them between the thumb and 

 forefing-cr, detach them completely from the ligaments that keep them 

 in their place, pull lightly, separating the cord, and the vessels (uterine 

 or fallopian tube) at their place of union with the ovarium, by means 

 of the nail of the thumb of the forefinger, which presents itself at the 

 point of touch ; in fact, we break the cord and bring away the ovarium. 

 AVe then introduce again the hand into the abdominal cavity, and we 

 proceed in the same manner to extract the other ovaria. This opera- 

 tion terminated, we, by the assistance of the needle, place a suture of 

 three or four double threads waxed at an equal distance, and at two 

 centimetres or a little less, from the lips of the wound ; passing it 

 through the divided tissues, we move from the left hand with the piece 

 of thread ; having reached that point, we fasten with a double knot, we 

 place the seam in the intervals of the thread from the ri^ht, and as we 

 approach the lips of the wound, we fasten by a simple knot, with a 

 bow, being careful not to close too tightly the lower part of the seam, so 

 that the suppuration which may be established in the wound, may be 

 able to escape. This operation eifected, we cover up the wound with 

 a pledget of lint kept in its place by three or four threads passed throuo*h 

 the stitches, and all is completed, and the cow is then led back to the 

 stable. 



"It happens, sometimes, that in cutting the muscles,, of which we 

 have before spoken, we cut one or two of the arteries, which bleed so 

 much that there is necessity for a ligature before opening the peritoneal 

 sac, because, if this precaution be omitted, blood will escape into the 

 abdomen, and may occasion the most serious consequences. 



" Care AfiCr the Operation. — The regimen we prescribe during the first 

 eight days following the operation, is a light diet, and a soothing luke- 

 warm draught; if the weather should be cold, we cover the cow with a 

 woolen covering. We must prevent the animal from licking the wound 

 and from rubbing it against other bodies. The third day after the 

 operation, we bathe morning and evening about the wound, with water 

 of mallows, lukewarm, and in default of this, we anoint it with a salve 

 of hogs' lard, and we administer an emollient glyster during three or 

 four days. 



"Eight days after the operation we take away the bandage, the lint, 

 the fastenings and the threads; the wound is at that time completely 

 cicatrized, as we have observed that a reunion takes place almost always 

 by the first intention, as we have only observed suppuration in three 

 cows, and then it was very slight. In this case we must use a slight 

 pressure above the part where the suppuration is established, so as" to 

 cause the pus to leave it, and if it continues more than five or six days, 

 we must supply emollients by alcoholized water, or chloridized, especially 

 if it be in summer. We then bring the cow gradually back to her 

 ordinary nourishment. 



"We have remarked in some cows a swelling of the body a short 

 time after being spayed, a state that we have attributed to the intro- 



