CASTRATlOiN OF THE DOG 109 



Operative Technic. — A median line incision is 

 made which is carried forward to the umbilical cicatrix. 

 This incision is generally made an inch and a half in 

 length though in some instances a 1\vo-inch incision is 

 preferable. The tissues are divided carefully, and by 

 means of dressing forceps one of the wound margins 

 may be drawn aside, enabling the operator to closely 

 observe and recognize the tissues as they are exposed 

 and divided. Some animals possess considerable fat 

 which lies lietwcen the subcuticular fascia in the ab- 

 dominal muscles, and this interferes somewhat with the 

 vision of the line of incision as it is carried through 

 the abdominal muscles. In such cases, one may remove 

 a portion of this fat by means of scissors, or an assist- 

 ant may, with the aid of a pair of forceps, retract the 

 wound margins enabling the operator to observe and 

 recognize the tissues as they are divided. 



After having exposed the peritoneum, this may be 

 punctured by means of a tenotome, taking care not to 

 injure the bladder should it be greatly distended and 

 lying immediately in contact with the peritoneum at the 

 site of the incision. Following the perforation of the 

 peritoneum, the incision may be enlarged by use of 

 peritoneal scissors or with the aid of a grooved direc- 

 tor ; by lifting and tensing the peritoneum, it is readily 

 divided with the scalpel or tenotome. It is best to avoid 

 enlarging the peritoneal opening by tearing as this 

 makes it impossible to control the direction of the 

 rent and an oblique or even a transverse rent may be 

 produced which is rather difficult to suture properly. 



Finding the Ovaries. — Two general methods are em- 

 ployed for locating the ovaries — one by retracting the 

 wound margins, exposing the viscera to view and seiz- 

 ing the uterine horns with forceps withdrawing the 



