(30PHORECTOMY~THE ANTISEPTIC METHOD. 257 



a ligature provided with one short and one long end over the thumb, 

 index, and middle fingers of the left hand and into the abdomen, to 

 slip the loop over the ovary, and draw it tight with the right hand. 

 The ends are cut off about three eighths of an inch from the knot, and the 

 ovary usually removed at a similar distance from the ligature. One 

 operator claims to have remox'ed both ovaries in twelve minutes. 



Without doubt this method securely guards against bleeding, but 

 whether it guards equally well against peritonitis 

 appears very doubtful. Even though ligatures are 

 carefully sterilised they are very apt to become 

 soiled in the vagina, and so cause peritonitis. For 

 this reason removal of the ovaries by torsion or by 

 the ecraseur appears preferable, and offers equal 

 security against bleeding. 



Hoffmann describes the antiseptic method. The 

 vulva and neighbouring parts are thoroughh' brushed 

 with warm soap and water, warm water is injected 

 into the vagina, and the parts are cleansed with the 

 disinfected hand. After removing the ^\•ater with 

 the hand or with the help of a rubber tube, Hoff- 



mann rinses out the vagina with a disinfecting fluid. 



Fig. 263. — Guarded 

 bistoury for incis- 

 ing upper wall of 

 vao-ina. 



such as a 3 per cent, creolin solution, and again 



washes it with the left hand. The speculum is 



then passed as far as the os uteri with the same hand, and the right 



hand, carrying a bistouri cache, being introduced, an incision is made 



through the upper wall of the vagina. The ri;;ht hand is then passed 



Fig. 264, — Scissors for dividing ovarian ligament. 



through the opening into the peritoneal cavity, the left ovary is found, 

 grasped between the index and middle fingers, and drawn into the 

 vagina, where it is twisted off by means of forceps. The right ovary is 

 removed with the left hand. To prevent straining after operation a 

 pole is passed over the animal's loins. A few hours after the operation 

 the temperature rises to 102-3° F-j but falls to normal within the next 



17 



