OVARIOTOMY IN THE BITCH 117 



The succeeding operation avoids this difficulty in a large 

 measure. Should the distal cornu be ruptured and with its 

 ovary drop away from the operator, it becomes necessary to 

 turn the animal over and make a second incision on the op- 

 posite side, somewhat farther forward. When the second 

 cornu has been secured, draw it out as far as practicable 

 and holding it tense, insert an index finger along it until the 

 ovary is reached. This is recognized by its slightly greater 

 size and density succeeding the brief neck representing the 

 Fallopian tube between the end of the cornu and ovary. 

 Beyond the ovary can be felt the ovarian ligament. Engage 

 the ligament between the end of the index finger and the 

 abdominal wall, and with a firm and vigorous movement, 

 using the finger end and nail as a curette, rupture the 

 ovarian ligament by drawing the finger toward the incision, 

 and with the aid of tension upon the cornu, draw the ovary 

 out through the abdominal incision and divide the broad 

 ligament as before. Remove the cornua with the attached 

 ovaries by rupturing them transversely near the bifurcation 

 by means of linear tension. 



If the bitch be pregnant, and especially if far advanced, 

 the uterine cornua will lie upon the abdominal floor, much 

 enlarged and very much more flaccid than the non-gravid 

 uterus and feeling like intestines. The change in the 

 position, of the uterus has caused the unfolding of the 

 duplicature of the broad ligament so that it no longer covers 

 the cornu. In such cases the operation is performed in the 

 same way except that rupturing the blood vessels by linear 

 tension does not insure against hemorrhage and it is neces- 

 sary to ligate the ovarian and uterine arteries with catgut 

 or silk. Or the ovary may be removed with the bitch 

 emasculator. In cases of pregnancy, the entire cornua 

 should be drawn out and a strong ligature placed around 

 the uterus or vagina, and the ovaries. Uterine cornua and 

 their contents be removed en masse., .Release the upper 



