216 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



leaving the abdominal cavity only closed by the peritoneum. 

 A fold of the peritoneum is picked up with a forceps and 

 incised ; further division is performed with the fingers. It is 

 not advisable to perforate the peritoneum, as in this way it 

 may be separated to quite some extent from the fascia trans- 

 versa. 



In the operation on the standing cow no intestines enter 

 the wound, but do so occasionally in the recumbent position. 

 In such a case it is kept back with a towel by an assistant. 

 Hemorrhage is controlled by torsion. 



After the operation, which was to succeed laparotomy as 

 reposition of the uterus, metrotomy or the diagnostic explora- 

 tion has been performed, the abdominal wall is sutured. 



Suture. — It is not necessary to suture the peritoneum or 

 fascia transversa, but the abdominal muscles are to be firmly 

 united. This is done with pretty strong silk by the continuous 

 suture, bringing the stitches quite close together, puncturing 

 each side about seven to eight times. (See Bayer's Surgery, 

 page 100). 



[Since the work is not accessible to the majority of English 

 speaking veterinarians, any of the modern surgical works, as 

 Moller's, may be consulted. — TV.] 



The beginning and end of the thread is secured, the knot 

 is drawn into the lower corner of the wound and the thread cut 

 off closely. The skin is stitched with the interrupted suture. 

 For this purpose strong twine is used. About eight sutures 

 aro inquired. To secure firm union, Heister's needle is used 

 and introduced quite a distance from the edges of the 

 wound. 



The neighborhood of the edge of the wound is now dressed 

 with ung. cantharidum 1:3, carefully avoiding any soiling of 

 the wound proper. Swelling, which soon follows, closes the 

 wound and assists healing by first intention. When asepsis is 

 practiced, healing soon occurs. An abdominal bandage in such 

 an animal is not only unnecessary, but useless. It is im- 

 possible to secure it, and its dislocation may interfere with the 

 healing process. 



