708 DISEASES OF SWINE 



CESAREAN OPERATION 



In some cases of difficult delivery in the sow it may become 

 necessary, in order to save her life, to perform this operation, 

 which consists in making an incision in the flank and removing the 

 pigs by cutting into the uterus and taking them out with the hand 

 or forceps, after which the wound in the uterus and flank are closed. 



The operation is a somewhat difficult one, and yet one that is 

 much less dangerous than generally supposed. It derives its name 

 from the fact that the great Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, is popu- 

 larly beUeved to have been born in this manner. The operation is 

 one of sufficiently great magnitude that it should hardly be under- 

 taken by the farmer or stockman, and especially not so nowadays, 

 when skilled veterinarians can so easily be obtained. 



In performing the operation it is desirable to place the sow on 

 her back upon a table or box, which is so elevated at one end as to 

 place the hind quarters somewhat higher than the front part of the 

 body. It is a good plan before starting to operate to irrigate the 

 external genital organs with a solution of weak bichlorid of mercury 

 or boric acid solution, and also to empty the large bowel by an in- 

 jection of soap and water. In an emergency this can be neglected 

 without doing any great harm. 



The first step in the active part of the operation consists in 

 thoroughly scrubbing the flank where the incision is going to be 

 made with soap and water and a stiff brush, if one is at hand. 

 After thoroughly cleaning the part, it should be bathed in alcohol 

 and then painted freely with tincture of iodin, which is allowed 

 to dry for about a minute before the cut is made. In performing 

 this operation it is desirable to have one large knife, which is used 

 for the incision through the skin, and a smaller knife, which is used 

 for the after operative incisions. Several needles of the curved and 

 straight type should be ready, and also sutures of catgut and linen, 

 as well as numerous forceps to grasp bleeding vessels. 



If convenient an anesthetic may be given, ether being the 

 preferable drug for use. This makes the work much easier, and 

 should be given wherever possible, but is not absolutely necessary, 

 as the work can be done under restraint without the use of any 

 anesthetic in an emergency. 



Everything being in readiness, the large knife is taken and an 



