SPAYINQ SOWS 



177 



The body of the uterus is unusually short when tlie length of its tube.si are 

 taken nito consideration. The cervix does not project into the vagina as in 

 most other domestic and wild animals. On the other hand, the vagina and 

 uterus of the sow unite without any circumscribed limit intervening be- 

 tween them. The horns float loosely in the abdominal cavity and are found 

 closely associated with the convolutions of the intestines. The broad liga- 

 ments are mesenteric in conformation and character and are extremely thin 

 and lax. The ovaries are decidedly lobulated and closely resemble grape 



Fig, IBS — Restraint (of sow) for spaying operation (flank method), third step. 

 N, Hind legs flxed; O, flank incision. 



clusters suspended to the right and left of the vertebral column near the 

 median line of the body. Fig. 170 illustrates the external as well as the 

 internal generative organs of the sow. 



The abdominal wall in the flank region is quite thick and contains much 

 fat between the skin and the external oblique abdominal muscle. More fat 

 is encountered in mature sows than in younger hogs. The skin is dense 

 and tough, while the external and internal oblique muscles and peritoneum 

 are comparatively thin and delicate in structure. The above description 



