GASTRO-HVSTEROTOMY, OR THE CESAREAN SECTION. 557 



extra-uterine foetation, certain cases of uterine torsion irreducible by the 

 methods we have described. Atresia of the os should be more advan- 

 tageously overcome by vaginal hysterotomy, unless the owner is desirous 

 of saving the foetus and sacrificing the mother. 



The operation is also indicated when an animal, near the termination 

 of pregnancy, is so seriously ill or injured that it cannot live until, birth 

 takes place. It may then be most judicious, if the progeny is valuable, 

 to kill the parent and extract the foetus at once. If the parent has just 

 died, or is dying, the operation may also be practised. 



In considering the adoption of the Caesarean section, the species of 

 animal will, of course, weigh a good deal. Those which can be utilized 

 as food, there need be no hesitation in operating upon, and sacrificing 

 immediately afterwards ; the value of the carcase and the living calf or 

 lamb diminishing very considerably the loss which would otherwise be 

 sustained. With the Mare, as we have said, the foal may be very much 

 more valuable than the parent. 



With the Bitch and Sow, there is much more prospect of a favorable 

 result of the operation ; and, as difficult parturition in them is often so 

 serious, it is advisable to operate in good time. Indeed, in all cases 

 when the operation is once decided upon, no time should be lost in prac- 

 tising it, if w^e desire to preserve the progeny, and guve the parent a 

 chance. 



We have seen that the foal soon perishes when it cannot be born, and 

 though the foetus of other animals retains its vitality longer, yet there is 

 also a limit here. Besides, it must be remembered that the strength of 

 the parent is an important factor in the case, and the longer the delay, 

 so the less chance is there of a successful result. 



It is, therefore, most important that the obstetrist loses no time in 

 making his diagnosis, and coming to a conclusion as to the course he 

 must pursue. Embryotomy will, of course, present itself to his mind 

 before gastro-hysterotomy, which is, after all, only to be an ultimate 

 means of saving either mother or progeny, or both, in very exceptional 

 cases. It need scarcely be pointed out that in irreducible uterine hernia, 

 there need be no delay in deciding, and that this condition gives good 

 hope of success — especially in the smaller animals. 



Operation. 



Looking at the Caesarean Section from a purely surgical point of view, 

 there can be no doubt that, so far as the larger domesticated animals are 

 concerned, it is one of the longest, most fatiguing, and most difficult, in 

 veterinary surgery. 



There is also the great extent of the wound, as well as the opening of 

 the peritoneum, haemorrhage, and escape of blood or liquor amnii into 

 the peritoneal cavity, to be considered. Besides, the animal is, as a rule, 

 in a state of extreme prostration, and the results of mischievous interfer- 

 ence may be already apparent before the operation is commenced, or even 

 before the veterinary surgeon is called in. 



The after treatment of the mother, too, often requires much attention, 

 and is expensive ; and recovery requires a considerable period, as conva- 

 lescence is only too often protracted. 



What, however, makes the operation so formidable, if the mother is to 

 be saved, is the quadrupedal position of animals ; for, after section of the 



