222 DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND SEXUAL APPARATUS 



cent., or creolin; and close the incision by means of a Laml)erts' suture 

 (using the stitch illustrated in Fig. 20, page 70), using catgut ligature. 

 If the other horn of the uterus contains fcetus, it must be treated in a 

 similar manner, irrigated and closed, then sew up the abdominal muscles 

 by an interrupted suture, using silk. The abdomen is covered with a 

 piece of absorbent cotton soaked in a mild solution of corrosive sublimate 

 and held in position by an eight-tailed bandage of muslin tied over the 

 back. This has to be dressed daily. The animal must have absolute rest 

 and be fed on food that is easily digested and not apt to constipate or 

 ferment. Meat juice or extract is the best; vegetables are contraindicated. 

 Removal of the Uterus, Hysterectomy. — This operation is performed 

 in inguinal hernia of the l)itch, with strangulation, in uterine tumors, 

 and chronic catarrh of the uterus, and when after the abdomen is 

 opened as in tlie operation just described and it is found that the 

 uterus is either lacerated, necrosed or that the uterus is in such condi- 

 tion that if it is not removed it will endanger the life of the animal. 

 Open the abdomen on the linea alba or the flank, the former is much more 

 satisfactory and to be preferred, and the uterus is brought down out of 

 the opening, and a douljle ligature is put on the horn close to the ovary, 

 or, better still, remove the ovary, then a double ligature is put on the uterus, 

 close to the vagina. When the uterus is filled with foetus, it is best to 

 empty the uterus, taking care not to allow the escaping fluids to flow into 

 the abdominal cavity; the ligated horn and uterus are cut between the 

 doul)le ligatures, and the broad ligament separated, and it is wise to 

 apply the thermo-cautery to the stumps of the horn and the uterus, then 

 close the abdominal wound, bandage the abdomen and treat the animal 

 as in any grave surgical case. 



Irregularities of Sexual Instinct. 



Absence or Loss of Sexual Desire. — This condition may result from 

 a variety of causes: (1) general debility, (2) ana?mia, (3) irregular or 

 improper food, (4) phlegma, especially in over-fed animals, (5) too fre- 

 ciuent sexual intercourse, as dogs in the stud, that have suddenly become 

 popular and have a great number of bitches sent to them, (G) onanism, 

 where animals have no intercourse, and learn to masturbate on objects 

 slightly elevated from the ground, a rung of a chair, the shaft of a wagon, 

 and in the kitchens of families, where small pet animals are kept, the 

 servant maids hold vip their foot and encourage the dog to masturbate 

 on that until they are exhausted, (7) from disease of the spine or of the 

 genital organs. In the l^itch sterility may result from catarrh of the 

 uterus or vagina, causing a discharge of acid mucus, that destroys the 

 spermatozoa. In certain male dogs they become so violently excited 



