VAGINAL OVARIOTOMY IN THE MARE. 



125 



detachable masses of sebum ; 50 per cent, alcohol may be 

 used sparingly to aid in removing this. Too free a use of 

 alcohol excoriates the delicate skin. Cleanse the clitoris 

 carefully. Follow the washing with a free application of 

 i: 1000 aqueous sublimate solution to the external parts and 

 for a short distance inside the vulvar lips and to the clitoris. 

 Do not introduce irritant disinfectants into the healthy 

 vagina nor deeply into the vulva as it may cause severe 

 straining during and subsequent to the operation and b}' in- 

 juring the vulvo- vaginal mucosa favor subsequent infection 

 of the vaginal wound. 



Wash awaj' the sublimate solution with a tepid 0.6 per 

 cent, soda bicarbonate solution, and fill the vulvo-vaginal 

 canal with the same. After thorough disinfection of the 

 hands and arms remove the disinfectants by washing in 

 sterile soda solution, which at the same time renders the 

 hand unctuous and readily introduced through the vulva. 

 Armed with the guarded sterilized scalpel, Fig. 14, intro- 

 duce the right hand into the vagina promptly and when it 

 is well " ballooned " unsheath the knife and placing it just 

 above the os uteri parallel to the long axis of the uterus and 

 a few mm. to the right or left of the median line in order to 

 avoid a loose fold of mucous membrane generally existing 

 there, the blade being held vertical, that is the cutting sur- 

 face parallel to the longitudinal muscular fibers of the 

 vagina, and guarding the possible extent of its introduction 

 with the thumb and fingers, push it directly forward in a 

 straight line with a quick thrust through vaginal mucosa, 

 the muscular walls and the peritoneum, until the disap- 

 pearance of resistance indicates that the latter has been 

 penetrated. This is the most critical step in the operation. 



If the hand is introduced into the vagina immediately 

 after the injection of the sterile saline solution the vagina 

 will generall}' be found " ballooned '' or will quickly become 

 inflated under manual movements. If the solution is thrown 



