Animal Castration 167 



Vagina — The vagina is larger and longer than that of the mare, 

 varying in length from 8 to 14 inches. Its wall is thick. The 

 meatus urinarius opens into its floor about 5 inches from vulva. 



Uterus — The uterus is short and lies almost entirely in the 

 abdominal cavity. Its cornua are very long and gradually taper 

 toward the fallopian tubes. The cervix is 4i/ 2 to 5y 2 inches long 

 and possesses a thick, tough wall. Its lumen (cervical canal) is 

 spiral shaped and small. The internal wall of uterus and horns 

 are studded with cotyledons. These are oval in shape and about 

 80 to 90 in number. 



Fallopian Tubes — The tubes are longer than in mare. Their 

 junction with cornua are not so abrupt as in mare. 



Ovaries — The ovaries are very small when compared to size 

 of animal. They are oval in shape and situated usually a little 

 above the middle of the lateral margin of the pelvic inlet. How- 

 ever, it is by no means uncommon to find them several inches from 

 this location. 



Warning — Unless the rectum is empty and the cervix forced 

 downward and forward with spaying speculum, the rectal wall 

 is liable to be punctured with point of knife. 



Sterilization of Instruments and Cleansing Operator's Hands 

 — Every instrument used in connection with this operation should 

 be sterilized by boiling 15 to 20 minutes, after which place them 

 in Lysol or Cresol Compound, U. S. P., in the strength of 1 table- 

 spoonful to each quart of water. The operator's hands should be 

 thoroughly washed with tincture green soap, using scrub brush, 

 after which wash them in above specified antiseptic solution. The 

 operator should not be required to assist in handling the animal. 

 Better leave this to assistants. 



Operative Technique — 1. Douche out vagina thoroughly with 

 antiseptic solution, using injection pump. 



2. Wash upper one-third of tail, rectum and vulva with anti- 

 septic solution, using cotton sponges. 



3. Lubricate right hand and arm with carbolized olive oil. 



4. With handle of spaying speculum in left hand the right 

 is passed into vagina and the tip of speculum is placed in cervix. 



5. Withdraw right hand, and with Colin 's scalpel reenter the 



