240 CASTRATION. 



dilates, affording ample space for making the puncture at the proper 

 point — in the middle line of the forward depression between the 

 upper aspect of the cervix and the superior wall of the vagina. After 

 perforating the vagina, the opening is enlarged by inserting and 

 separating the fingers. The hand introduced into the peritoneal 

 cavity traces the uterine horn forwards to its extremity, where the 

 ova*tf lies among the folds of intestine. In mares suffering from 

 nynvJKomania the ovaries are often as large as a duck's egg. They 

 can be distinguished by their firm consistence and their mobility. 

 The left ovary is grasped with the right hand, and the ecraseur 

 having been introduced with the left hand, the chain-loop is 

 passed over the ovary. At this stage the operator must make 

 sure, by feeling with the right hand, that no portion of bowel 

 is included in the loop of the chain. The operator steadies the 

 ecraseur with the left hand, whilst an assistant turns the screw, 

 and so tightens the chain until the ovary is free in the operator's 

 hand. To prevent haemorrhage the screw should be turned slowly 

 — especially towards the close of the crushing process. 



The detached ovary having been withdrawn into the vagina, the 

 right ovary is removed in a similar way, if necessary the operator's 

 left hand replacing the right, and finally the ovaries and instrument 

 are brought outside and the vagina is carefully disinfected. 



The patient should be placed in a clean, well-bedded stall or 

 loose-box, and for a few days fed lightly on mash diet. Gradually 

 increasing exercise should be prescribed for ten days and if no 

 symptoms of sickness occur the mare may then be sent to work. 



In the mare the use of the ecraseur is undoubtedly preferable to 

 torsion of the ovarian ligament with forceps, the risk of injuring the 

 bowel being much less. The ecraseur must be considerably longer 

 and stronger than those used for ordinary castration ; Delamotte uses 

 one twenty -four inches in length. The chain of the ecraseur must also 

 be stronger, otherwise it is very liable to break. 



Cadiot adopts Colin's method of cutting through the peritoneum, 

 and condemns the suggestion to divide it with the fingers, on account 

 of the serosa dissecting off and forming a pocket. Cadiot's general 

 procedure in the mare resembles that in cows, but he lays special 

 stress on disinfection of the vulva and vagina. The parts are injected 

 and washed with 3 per cent, creolin solution daily for two or three 

 days before operation. He also draws attention to the fact that 

 immediately after operation animals are apt to show colic, which 

 continues from two to four days. He condemns irrigation of the 

 vagina after operation. 



