766 GENITO-URINARY ORGANS. 



An ordinary convex bistoury or a special knife and two artery 

 forceps are the instruments emploj'ed. 



Manual Technique. — The animal is cast on the right or left side, 

 preferably on the right, so that the right index finger can be employed. 

 Full-grown sows should always be muzzled. In the case of young 

 animals, the limbs should be grasped by assistants, the hind limbs 

 being crossed one over the other and drawn backwards. 



Antiseptic applications are highly desirable, although they are 

 usually neglected when a layman directs the operation. 



The operator places himself close to the animal's back. The in- 

 cision may be made in one of three different places. 



Certain practitioners recommend a vertical incision about 2 to 



\\\^^ 



Fig. 322. — Genital organs of the sow. 1, Ovary ; 2, liorn of the uterus 

 3, uterus ; 4, rectum ; 5, vagina ; 6, bladder ; 7, kidney ; 9, intestine. 



2| inches in length, commencing at the external angle of the ilium, 

 or ^ of an inch in front of it, and prolonged downwards; others 

 make a horizontal incision parallel with the vertebral axis ; and, 

 lastly, some believe that an oblique incision following the direction 

 of the "cord of the flank" is just as advantageous. A vertical or 

 oblique incision is probably the best. 



The operation comprises four stages : 



First stage. Incision of the skin and subjacent muscles. 



Second stage. Perforation of the peritoneum and discovery of the 

 ovaries. 



