VAGINAL OVARIOTOMY IN THE MARE 103 



quiescent state the vaginal walls are in contact. From the 

 perinaeum forward to within about lo cm. of the uterine 

 OS, the vulva and vagina are connected above with the 

 rectum by the pelvic connective tissue, while anterior to 

 this, point the vagina is covered by peritoneum. It is in 

 this area that the incision needs to be made in the opera- 

 tion. The ballooning of the vagina profoundly alters the 

 relation of this operative area, and changes it from the 

 horizontal in the quiescent organ to the perpendicular in 

 the ballooned condition. These variations permit of two 

 methods of operating : I. On the ballooned organ without 

 anaesthesia and with the animal confined in the standing 

 position. II. On the quiescent organ in the recumbent 

 position under anaesthesia : 



I. Without anaesthesia. Secure in the stocks with the 

 head elevated, a rope over the back to prevent rearing, 

 straps beneath the body to prevent lying down, straps or 

 ropes before and behind the animal to prevent backward 

 and forward movements, all four feet pinioned to the floor, 

 and the tail firmly secured and stretched to a beam above. 

 Apply a bandage to the tail extending for a distance of 12 

 to 15 inches from its base in order to secure the tail hairs 

 out of the way of the operator. 



With soap, water and brush cleanse the tail, perineum and 

 vulva thoroughly, being especially careful to remove all 

 detachabls masses of sebum ; 50 per cent, alchohol or gaso- 

 line may be used sparingly to aid in removing this. Too 

 free a use of alcohol excoriates the delicate skin. Cleanse 

 the clitoris carefully. Follow the washing with a free ap- 

 plication of 1:1000 aqueous sublimate solution to the ex- 

 ternal parts and for a short distance inside the vulvar lips 

 and to the clitoris. Do not introduce irritant disinfectants 

 into the healthy vagina nor deeply into the vulva as it may 

 cause severe straining during and subsequent to the opera- 

 tion and by injuring the vulvo-vaginal mucosa favor subse- 



