HEXEJLiL CoySIDEHATWXS. 285 



which is then more free and better adapted for niancmvivs in its 

 interior. 



When the operator has to explore in the lyin<; position, he liiuls it 

 much more fati^'uin;^ and dillicult, as he has then to kneel, and to 

 acconnnodate himself to the animal. In the decubitus, it is still more 

 necessary that the croup shoidd be higher than the front part of the 

 body, in order to get the digestive organs out of the way ; the lateral 

 pressure of the viscera should also be diminished by having the spine 

 higher than the limbs ; and it must be borne in mind that the more an 

 animal is raised above the ground when it is lying, the easier is the 

 manipulation. For the same reason, the smaller animals should be 

 raised as high as the operator's hand : the Sheep, Sow, and Goat on 

 several bundles of straw ; the Bitch and Cat on a table covered with 

 straw or a cloth. The two latter animals must be so seciu'ed that they 

 will not bite or scratch the operator. 



To compel a Cow to get up, Schaack recounnends that a small Dog 

 be introduced into the stable, and made to bark at and excite the 

 animal 



The coat must be removed, and the shirt-sleeve rolled as high as the 

 shoulder ; indeed, with large animals, when there is a likelihood of much 

 manipulation bein^ required with the cavity of the uterus, it has been 

 recommended to remove the shirt and underclothing from the arm and 

 shoulder altogether. 



My friend, Mr. Cartwright, of Whitchui'ch, employed a large, thick, 

 and long woollen sleeveless vest that buttoned close up around the neck ; 

 this is very suitable for such cases, as it not only admits of the shirt 

 being removed, but besides keeping the operator's clothes clean, it 

 prevents him catching cold. Other operators wear a long gown, like a 

 dissecting-room gown. 



The back of the hand and arm should be well smeared with oil, 

 grease, or even butter, not only to render their introduction into the 

 genital passages more easy, and less irritating to the lining membrane, 

 but also to some extent to protect the operator against infection. It is 

 scarcely necessary to add that rings should not be worn on the fingers. 

 The right hand is usually introduced, but it is well to be able to use 

 both hands — certain manipulations being more easily executed with 

 the left than the right hand ; and, besides, in protracted operations 

 one hand relieves the other. 



Before commencing the examination of the genital passages, it is 

 well to empty the rectum, and if possible the bladder. While emptying 

 the former viscus, useful information may be gleaned as to the condi- 

 tion of the uterus, as well as of the pelvis and pelvic cavity. 



The fingers being gathered together in a cone-like form, the hand — 

 which should not be cold — is inserted carefully and steadily into the 

 vagina at a moment when the animal is not straining — the outer margin 

 (little finger) being downwards, thumb towards the rectum, and pushed 

 gently inwards by a slight rotatory movement ; but the advance of the 

 hand must be momentarily checked if the straining is at all severe, or 

 until the animal, if irritable, has become reconciled to it. When once 

 through the vulva, more room is found in the vagina, and the hand 

 and fore-arm can then penetrate with ease as far as the cervix uteri. 



The object of exploration being to ascertain, in the first place, the 

 condition of the genital passages, as well as the state of the pelvic 

 cavity in general, the operator has to satisfy himself whether the vagina 



