THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 373 



introduction of the operator's right arm, he kneeling down in 

 close contact with the cow's back. The hand is then passed 

 within the brim or cavity of the pelvis. Having found the deep- 

 seated or right ovary, it must be removed by laceration. I 

 find that the best and most expeditious way is, to slip the other 

 hand into the abdominal cavity ; then with the right I seize the 

 broad ligament at the base of the ovary ; my left then clasps 

 the ovary, and in this way, by using trifling force, the ovary is 

 detached or torn away. The left ovary is then to be sought 

 for, and an assistant depresses the edges of the incision. At the 

 same time the operator, having a firm hold on the ovary, brings 

 it into view, so that it can be removed by means of a pair 

 of blunt-pointed scissors. 



The third stage of the operation is the process of uniting 

 the abdominal muscles, by means of stitches or sutures. A 

 curved needle, armed with four or five threads of shoemaker's 

 twine, well beeswaxed, is to be passed through the abdominal 

 muscles, without penetrating the peritoneum (lining membrane 

 of the abdominal cavity), at interrupted distances of one inch, 

 more or less. Each suture is to be securely tied ; one end of 

 the same is to be cut close to the knot, the other is left long 

 enough to protrude through the integumental incision. The 

 skin, or integument, is then to be closed by means of ligature 

 or metallic wire, leaving a small orifice at the inferior or lower 

 region of the external incision, for the escape of morbid mat- 

 ter. This completes the operation. In the course of a week 

 or ten days the deep-seated ligatures may be pulled away, and 

 when the integument is well united, the external stitches may 

 also be removed. The wound is healed by nature, and scarcely, 

 if ever, requires any sort of dressing. 



Since writing the preceding, I have received the two follow- 

 ing letters : — 



" Newton Centre, June^ 1859. 



Dr. Dadd. Dear Sir: — In reply to your inquiry 

 respecting my cow, I would remark that this is the third sum- 

 mer since you performed the operation of spaying ; and she 

 32 



