1 88 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



tra-pelvic pressure upon the operative area. It would be 

 practicable to operate upon most cows under local anaes- 

 thesia in the standing position. After carefully cleansing 

 the vulva and vagina, an incision may be made through the 

 vulvar mucosa of the hernial sac, down to the pelvic fascia. 

 An index finger can be inserted through the incision and, 

 palpating the hernial ring, act as a guide in suturing. A 

 half-curve needle armed with strong silk should then be in- 

 serted at a point on a level with the superior border of the 

 hernial ring and about one-half inch posterior to the mar- 

 gin. The needle is to be passed through the vulvar mucosa 

 and the muscular wall ; carried forward, carefully guarded, 

 across the hernial opening on the ovarian side of the ante- 

 rior margin of the hernial ring ; and finally brought out into 

 the vagina, through the muscular and mucous coats. Then 

 the needle is to be reversed, carried downward about one- 

 fourth inch, inserted, and a suture laid parallel to the first, 

 emerging about one-fourth inch below the point of starting. 

 The free ends of the suture are then brought together and 

 tied tightly, with a view to inducing pressure necrosis in 

 the tissues incarcerated in the loop. The sutures should be 

 repeated every quarter of an inch, from the upper to the 

 lower margin of the hernial ring. The ring will then be 

 obliterated, and adhesion occur between the incarcerated 

 tissues. The portions of tissue lying between the incar- 

 cerated areas in the sutures serve to maintain function in 

 the hernial sac, preventing it from sloughing away, and the 

 possibility of prolapse of the intestine through the slough. 

 When circumstances render it desirable to apply pallia- 

 tive measures to ventral hernia pending parturition, the 

 object is readily accomplished by means of vulvar sutures, 

 as shown in Fig. 60. In the illustration, tape has been used 

 for sutures. A loop has been tied near the middle of the 

 suture, after which the needle is inserted about one inch 

 lateral to the vulvar opening, somewhat below the superior 

 commissure, carried downward nearly to the inferior com- 

 missure, and brought out. The ends are then tied together 



