OVARIAN DISEASES. 515 



Nymphomania. — This disease, or condition, as in many- 

 cases it cannot be called a disease, is essentially the same 

 as the one just described under the head of oestromania. 

 The symptoms and treatment are also about the same. 



Ovariotomy, — This operation has been known for a 

 great number of years, and at one time was practised to a 

 very great extent; but at the present day is very rarely 

 performed by the intelligent practitioner, except with a 

 view to the cure of disease. It is claimed that the removal 

 of the ovaries from a milch cow causes an improvement 

 both in the quality and quantity of the milk, and that 

 she will continue to have a full flow of milk every day 

 for several years in succession. It is also claimed that such 

 animals require less food, and are preferable in every 

 way to animals in which the ovaries have not been re- 

 moved. The operation is frequently performed upon pigs, 

 with a view of preventing impregnation. It is also claimed 

 that they fatten quicker, in consequence of the ovaries 

 being removed ; but such arguments are very weak as com- 

 pared to the arguments that can be brought to bear against 

 the operation from a humane point of view. The fact that 

 very little, if anything, is to be gained by the operation, 

 and that it invariably causes severe suffering, and is fre- 

 quently fatal, should be sufficient to deter the practitioner 

 from performing it, except with a view of curing or allevi- 

 ating disease, saving life, etc. The operation is usually per- 

 formed by cutting into the side of the animal, the right side 

 usually being selected in cows. It is also performed by cutting 

 into the abdomen, through the median line : this method not 

 being very successful. The French method of operating con- 

 sists in passing the hand into the vagina, through the walls of 

 which, at the upper part of the passage, and two or three 

 inches posterior to the os uteri, an incision is made ; the 

 broad ligament is found, and the ovaries drawn out and re- 



33—2 



