238 Veferinarv Obstetrics 



almost completely under the pressure of large cysts, so firmly 

 compressed within the enveloping tunica albuginea (see Figs. 17 

 and 18). In rare instances the cysts become enormous, reaching 

 4-8 inches and even more in diameter. 



In other instances of nymphomania we have found, in ex- 

 tremely bad ca.ses, small, atrophied, fibrous ovaries, very hard 

 and dense, like fibro-cartilage. 



The examination of the ovaries of the mare is to be made 

 upon essentially the .same basis as that already described for the 

 cow. The examination is to be made upon the standing animal, 

 due precautions being taken, according to circuni.stances, to 

 avoid injuries to the veterinarian from kicks and to overcome 

 any probable annoyance from movements of the animal. Usually 

 a single stall, with the animal tied short in it, will suffice, but 

 vicious animals should be .secured in stocks, the twich applied 

 and a forefoot held up or one hind foot rai.sed by means of a 

 sideline. 



The hand and arm of the operator should be well cleansed and .soft- 

 ened by warm w^ater, and disinfected, and the rectum of the ani- 

 mal should be emptied of feces, usually by introducing a warm .soda 

 bicarbonate .solution ^ into the rectum. The finger nails of the 

 operator should be trmimed close and the hand and arm thoroughly 

 lubricated with warm oil, lard or liquid paraffin, and then gently 

 introduced into the rectum. Usually little progress, if any, can 

 be made while the hand is in the posterior or pelvic rectum, but 

 it becomes necessary to push the hand gently forwards into 

 the free portion of the rectum, which can then be carried to the 

 right or left, up or down, and forwards or backwards. The 

 mare often strains somewhat, which should always be accepted 

 as a signal to the operator to cease his palpation until the expul- 

 sive effort cea.ses, but without withdrawing his hand. Care upon 

 this point decreases the straining and does much to avoid lacera- 

 ation of the rectal mucosa, associated with hemorrhage. 



With the palm of the hand directed downwards, the cervix 

 uteri and uterine body, about the .size of a man's wrist, may be 

 traced forward to the point of bifurcation, where the cornua, al- 

 most as large as the body, are given off at approximately right 

 angles. Tracing these to the right or left, the operator can 

 recognize the ovaries at or near the anterior margin of the broad 

 ligament, an inch or two beyond the obtuse end of the cornua. 



