Vaginal Ovariotomy in the Mare 269 



in some cases the prompt intravenous injection of adrenalin 

 chloride may stay the hemorrhage and save the life of the 

 patient. 



Wounding of the uterus may occur when the incision is 

 directed downward and may greatly embarrass the operator 

 and confuse him because his fingers or hand may pass 

 through the incision into the uterine cavity. It is to be 

 avoided in the first operation (without anaesthesia) by care- 

 fully directing the incision straight forward. When the 

 accident occurs, it is of little consequence beyond the em- 

 barrassment and may be overcome by again dilating the 

 vagina with fresh injections of the soda solution and mak- 

 ing a new incision. If preferred, the first cut may be cor- 

 rected by placing an index finger against the peritoneum at 

 the upper part of the wound, and, with a sudden and vigor- 

 ous thrust, breaking through into the peritoneal cavity, or 

 by again using the scalpel and directing the incision prop- 

 erly. If it is attempted to rupture the peritoneum with the 

 finger, this must be done by a sharp thrust, since otherwise 

 a large section of the membrane will be pushed away from 

 the subjacent tissues. 



Incomplete penetration of the vaginal wall is liable to oc- 

 cur if the scalpel is dull, if the vagina is imperfectly "bal- 

 looned" and flaccid, or if the operator is unduly timid. It 

 is best prevented by avoiding the causes mentioned. Once it 

 has occurred, it is generally best, in the operation without 

 anaesthesia, to again "balloon" the organ and make a new 

 incision either to the right or left of the first. It may be 

 overcome also by thrusting the index finger through the 

 peritoneum as described in the preceding paragraph or by 

 completing the cut with the scalpel. 



The mistaking of a ball of feces for the ovary or tumor 

 has occurred to inexperienced operators and the fatal error 

 of removing the portion of the rectum surrounding the fecal 

 pellet committed. The blunder is uncalled for : the fecal 

 ball is movable in the bowel, the intestine is far more mas- 

 sive than the broad ligament, and the ovary is to be definitely 

 identified by its being lodged in the broad ligament just be- 



