Vaginal Ovariotomy in the Mare 263 



removal to avoid danger from hemorrhage. The arteries 

 had best be ligated with chromatized catgut. Sometimes 

 vaginal ovariotomy is practicable. Usually it is best to re- 

 sort to laparotomy in the upper or middle flank region. 

 When considered prudent to operate through the vagina, 

 the technic should be essentially that for ordinary ovario- 

 tomy. 



Vaginal Ovariotomy in the Mare 



Instruments. Colin's scalpel, ratchet ecraseur 55 cm. 

 long, vaginal tensor. 



Preparation of patient. It is best to keep the animal on a 

 scant laxative diet for at least 24 hours, and preferably 

 longer, prior to the operation, so that the alimentary canal 

 shall be somewhat empty, thus decreasing the intra-ab- 

 dominal tension and relieving the operator from much an- 

 noyance due to the pressure of the viscera. When incar- 

 ceration colic is present, there is of course no opportunity 

 to await the general preparation of the patient. Before 

 commencing the operation, it is best to have an assistant 

 empty the rectum manually. Enemas should not be em- 

 ployed, because there is danger from the expulsion of liquid 

 feces during the operation. It is best, also, to empty the 

 bladder before operating; otherwise the animal is quite sure 

 to urinate during the operation. 



Technic. The introduction of the hand into the vagina of 

 the non-anaesthetized mare causes the admission of air 

 along the hand and arm. The vulvar lips fail to envelop 

 the hand and arm closely and the irritation or shock causes 

 the animal to draw air alongside the arm into the vagina, 

 fully ballooning it. The movements of the diaphragm and 

 chest walls tend to cause a vacuum of both chest and ab- 

 domen during inspiration, and, if the vulva is partly propped 

 open and the abdominal walls are fixed, air rushes in. The 

 vagina may also be distended by filling it with warm water. 

 Under these conditions the vaginal walls become hard, and 

 stand apart from each other, closely applied against the 

 pelvic walls at every part except at the points where the 



