OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW BY THE FLANK. 133 

 28. OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW BY THE FLANK. 



Instruments. Clipping shears, convex scalpel, spaying 

 shears, or ecraseur, heavy needle and thread. 



Uses, Same as the preceding, applicable to heifers or to 

 cows in which the vulva is too small to admit the operator's 

 hand or in case of diseased vagina or uterus. 



The animal may be secured as in the preceding or con- 

 fined in lateral recumbency with the hind legs extended 

 backward and the anterior limbs forward. To accomplish 

 this loop a rope about the two fore feet, another about the 

 two hind feet, and drawing upon the.se, cast the animal and 

 secure it in recumbency with the legs extended and body 

 stretched by fastening the ropes to two strong posts about 

 8 to 10 m. apart. The operation may be performed in either 

 flank. 



Clip the hair from the upper part of the flank, disinfect 

 an area 15 to 25 cm. square and make an incision about 12 

 cm. long beginning at a point equi-distant from the anterior 

 tuberosity of the ilium, the ends of the transverse processes 

 of the lumbar vertebrae and the last rib and extend it down- 

 wards perpendicularly severing the skin and subcutaneous 

 muscle. Divide the external oblique muscle in the direction 

 of its fibres by means of the scalpel handle or the fingers 

 and repeat the process upon the internal oblique after which 

 puncture the peritoneum with the scalpel. Some operators 

 cut directly through the entire abdominal wall at a single 

 stroke, but this comes to the operator only by experience. 



Force one hand through the opening into the peritoneal 

 cavity and search for the ovaries at the same point and by 

 the same method as in the preceding operation, that is, 

 locate the uterus within the pelvic cavity, between the 

 rectum and bladder and trace it, the cornu, and broad 

 ligament to the ovary. The uppermost ovary can be drawn 

 out through the wound and cut off with the scissors or 

 ecraseur ; the lower one must be held with one hand and 



