138 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



the uterus is then ligated by means of a heavy gut or 

 silk thread which is retained in situ by being fixed at 

 several points with a needle and securely tied. This 

 having been done, the forceps attached to the uterus 

 are removed, and the abdominal wound is ready to be 

 sutured. 



The peritoneum and muscular layers of the abdom- 

 inal wall are approximated by means of a continuous 

 suture using gut or silk thread. The skin is united 

 by means of a heavy silk or linen suture material, 

 using a continuous suture, and the parts are painted 

 with tincture of iodin and immediately coated with a 

 layer of pine tar. 



Indications for the performance of hysterotomy are 

 in cases where only one uterine horn is gravid, or, if 

 both horns are gravid, where living fetuses are con- 

 tained in them, and there exists no apparent structural 

 change involving the body of the uterus and cornua 

 — in cases where labor has not existed for more than 

 24 hours and where the mucous membrane of the geni- 

 talia has not been seriously injured by means of instru- 

 ments in attempting delivery. 



If both uterine horns are gravid, the one nearest the 

 abdominal opening should be brought to the surface 

 and laid upon towels which line the wound margins 

 and cover the surface of the body of the subject. An 

 incision is then made through the body of the horn 

 at a point rather near its dorsum. If there are several 

 fetuses contained within this uterine horn, an incision 

 is made over the body of the fetus lying nearest the 

 uterus. The incision should be made parallel with the 

 long axis of the uterine horn and of sufficient length to 

 permit the easy removal of the fetus. 



After having removed the fetus, taking care not to 



