106 VAGINAL OVARIOTOMY IN TH E MARB 



external parts, apply sublimate solution freely to the vulva, 

 perineum and tail. Keep the patient quiet for five or six 

 days, and feed lightly on a laxative diet. 



II. In operating under anaesthesia, the animal should be 

 cast or confined upon the operating table in lateral recum- 

 bency preferably with the posterior part of the body some- 

 what higher than the anterior in order to avoid visceral 

 pressure in the pelvic cavity. Place the animal under com- 

 plete anaethesia. Prepare the parts in the same manner as- 

 already described. Carry the knife into the vagina in the 

 manner previously described and render the roof of that, 

 organ tense by pushing the os uteri downward and forward, 

 with the hand or by means of a vaginal tensor or speculum. 

 It is important that the vagina be lield well down toward 

 the floor of the pelvis, so as to carry it away from the rec- 

 tum, posterior aorta and iliac arteries while the incision is- 

 being made. The incision is now to be made just above and 

 behind and a trifle to one side of the os uteri in essentially 

 the same manner as under I, except that when the vaginal 

 tensor is used, the cut is made upward and backward instead 

 of directly forward. The remainder of the operation is- 

 identical with what we have described under I. Under 

 anaesthesia the vagina is flaccid and cannot be made to- 

 " balloon " but may be distended with sterile soda or salt 

 solution. 



Dangers. Wounding of the rectum is scarcely possible un- 

 der the first method if it has been emptied as advised on page 

 loi and care is taken not to attempt the incision until the va- 

 gina is well " ballooned," and then making the stab wound 

 directly forward. If made upward when the organ is so- 

 tensed, the accident is highly probable, and with the undi- 

 lated vagina, where it is necessary to cut upward, the dan- 

 ger is ever present. Its prevention demands that in the first 

 method, the operator await the complete "ballooning" 

 and then make his incision as directed. In the second 



