ixvEiismx of THE rr Kill's. goi 



the operation. Of these thirty cases only one was a Mare ; 17 were 

 Cows ; 3 Goats ; 4 Sows ; 1 ]"^we ; 2 Bitches ; and '1 Cats. He remarks 

 that, of the unfortunate cases, there were prohably some which died 

 from other causes than the amputation ; while others evidently perished 

 from septic infection. Recoveries have taken place after the Caesarian 

 section and excision of the uterus practised on the same animal, at 

 the same time. 



The operation might be more successful did it not happen that it is 

 late before it is resorted to, and very often the animal is already greatly 

 exhausted. 



It is curious to note that it has been recorded by several observers, 

 that some Cows which recovered have shown signs of a'Strum — doubt- 

 less because the ovaries were left intact ; while other Cows have yielded 

 milk after the operation. Lecoq knew of a Cow from which the uterus 

 had been removed, and which gave an abundance of milk for two years 

 afterwards. 



Openitioii. — Various modes of operating have been practised and 

 recommended. With the larger animals, the hind-limbs should be 

 secured — especially with the Mare — or they may be thrown down, or 

 fixed in a travis if there is one convenient. 



Chloroform, chloral, or morphia should be administered to the animals 

 about to be operated upon. It is also a good plan to tie the uterus up 

 in a large cloth, so that it may be easier moved about by the operator 

 or his assistants, and render the operation cleaner and less repulsive- 

 looking. 



The oldest, and perhaps most popular, method is the liijatior in ma.s.s. 

 A piece of strong whipcord, well waxed and made into a running loop, 

 is passed over the tumour as near to the vulva as possible, but without 

 including the meatus urinarius. When evenly placed around the 

 pedicle, it is gradually but firmly tightened by pulling at each end, so 

 as to completely intercept the circulation in the organ. This done, the 

 cord is tied in a knot. 



Though this method has been mucli employed, and with a fair amount 

 of success, yet it has been condennied by some good authorities, on the 

 plea that it is dangerous to tie such a voluminous mass ; as all tlie parts 

 cannot be sufViciently and equally compressed to become mortified at 

 the same time. Those parts which have not been firmly constricted 

 still retain a certain amount of circulation, become inflamed, and occa- 

 sion violent pain. 



Rainard therefore recommends the douhle lifjatitrc. A long sacking or 

 saddler's large needle, is armed with a somewhat long double piece of 

 whipcord. This is passed through the middle of the pedicle of the 

 tumour, from below to above, and the needle cut away from the cord. 

 The pedicle is thus perforated by two pieces of cord ; one of these is 

 very (irmly tied round the right half of the pedicle, the other round the 

 left, so as to include the whole in two separate ligatures. 



Claverie' reports a serious hannorrhage from the employment of this 

 double ligature after removal of the uterus, which necessitated the 

 application of a ligature in mass above the others, as well as the appli- 

 cation of the actual cautery to the cut surface. It is possible that the 

 needle wounded some large vessel, which, of course, would not be in- 

 cluded in either of the Ugatures. 



' Journal dfs V'^iUrinaires du Midi, 1860, p. r-35. 



