112 OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW BY THE FLANK 



threads into the vagina with the hand. Another danger 

 appears in the presence of the rumen, the supero-posterior 

 portion of which when filled with food projects into the 

 pelvic cavity and if the cut is directed forward, a stab- 

 wound readily penetrates its walls with fatal results. Make 

 the cut upward and backward. 



31. OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW BY THE FLANK 



Instruments. Clipping shears, convex scalpel, spaying 

 emasculator, or ecraseur, heavy needle and thread. 



Uses. Same as the preceding, applicable to heifers or to 

 cows in which the vulva is too small to admit the operator's 

 hand or in case of diseased vagina or uterus. 



The animal may be secured as in the preceding or con- 

 fined in lateral recumbency with the hind legs extended 

 backward and the anterior limbs forward. To accomplish 

 this, loop a rope about the two fore feet, another about the 

 two hind feet, and drawing upon these, cast the animal and 

 secure it in recumbency with the legs extended and body 

 stretched by fastening the ropes to two strong posts about 

 8 to lo m. apart. The operation may be performed in either 

 flank. 



Clip the hair from the upper part of the flank, disinfect 

 an area 15 to 25 cm. square and make an incision about 12 

 cm. long beginning at a point equidistant from the anterior 

 tuberosity of the ilium, the ends of the transverse processes- 

 of the lumbar vertebrae and the last rib, and extend it down- 

 ward perpendicularly, severing the skin and subcutaneous 

 muscle. Divide the external oblique muscle in the direc- 

 tion of its fibres by means of the scalpel handle or the fingers 

 and repeat the process upon the internal oblique, after which 

 puncture the peritoneum with the scalpel. When ope- 

 rating upon large numbers of animals, and greater rapidity 

 is desired, the entire abdominal wall is cut directly through 

 at a single stroke. 



