270 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



yond the end of the cornua, which is continuous with the 

 uterus. If, therefore, one traces the uterus forward to the 

 cornua, and thence along each of these to their extremities 

 and along the borders of the broad ligament to the ovary, as 

 above directed, the error will not occur. 



The vaginal incision may be made too loiv and pass be- 

 neath the broad ligament. This is to be avoided by being 

 careful to keep close to the median line and above the os 

 uteri. If it occurs, the operation may be completed from be- 

 neath without very great difficulty, only that the ovary now 

 lies above the hand and must be drawn down from above 

 the broad ligament in order to fix the ecraseur upon it. 



Infection, which always constitutes the most serious dan- 

 ger, is to be avoided by properly securing the animal, by the 

 avoidance of irritant antiseptics in the vagina, by rigid 

 asepsis at every stage, and by carrying out the mechanical 

 parts of the operation deliberately, vigorously, and neatly. 

 If infection should occur, it will generally take the form of 

 pelvic cellulitis with abscesses and rectal stricture. Enemas 

 of normal salt or soda solution afford the surest relief of the 

 stricture and impaction in front of it. The abscesses must 

 be watched and opened early into the vagina or rectum, and 

 the case treated internally and locally according to general 

 surgical principles. 



Vaginal Ovariotomy in the Cow 



While vaginal ovariotomy is the common method used in 

 the cow and mare for the simple purpose of removing 

 healthy ovaries in castration, or of ovaries aberrant in 

 function as in nymphomania, it is not of great value in the 

 removal of ovarian tumors, since as a rule they are too large 

 for removal by this route. Neither does the vaginal opera- 

 tion afford satisfactory opportunity for controlling hemor- 

 rhage if increased vascularity exists. 



Instruments. Colin's scalpel, vaginal dilator, spaying 

 ecraseur, or emasculator. 



Tecfuiic. Confine the cow in the standing position in the 

 stocks, secure the head firmly, and pass two boards beneath 



