CASTRATION OF FEMALES 99 



cmiiloyed in this operation. The skin having been in- 

 cised, the point of the knife is thruat into the abdominal 

 musculature for a sufficient depth to allow the introduc- 

 tion of a finger into the structures for the purpose of 

 separating- muscidar fibers and these are separated by 

 forcing the hand through the structures. It is wise to 

 avoid transverse division of the muscular fibers, more 

 prompt healing of the wound results if the intercrossing 

 muscular fibers are not severed, as spontaneous closure 

 of the incision occurs almost immediately after the 

 hand has been withdrawn from the peritoneal cavity. 



The ovaries are sought by introducing the hand into 

 the peritoneal cavil y, keeping it in immediate contact 

 with the parietal peritoneum and turning the hand in 

 a backward direction toward the shaft of the ilium. 

 For the beginner this may serve as a landmark, and 

 he may carry the hand from this point to the pubis, 

 there locating the bladder; and immediately above the 

 bladder, the body of the uterus is easily found. By 

 tracing out the bifurcating cornua, the ovary situated 

 opposite the point of entry is first secured and ampu- 

 tated by means of suital)le scissors oi' spaying emas- 

 culator. The instrument is introduced alongside the 

 forearm of the operator, and the amputMtion of the 

 ovary is done within the peritoneal cavity. The re- 

 maining ovary is removed in a like manner and the 

 hand is withdrawn then, bringing both glands with it. 



The abdominal muscles and peritoneum are not 

 sutured. The skin and fascia are united by means of 

 two or three interrupted sutures of heavy linen or 

 silk material. This is done by means of a large, heavy 

 spear-pointed needle, and this part of the operation 

 may well be delegated to an assistant where animals 

 are handled in large numbers. If it is necessary to 



