282 Veterinary Medicine. 



releasing, and if necessary extirpating them. In case of advanced 

 pregnancy with the gravid womb on the inner side of the thigh, 

 a modified Caesarian operation is required without the attendant 

 danger of laying the peritoneal cavity directly open. Inflamma- 

 tion and abscess must be treated on general principles. 



UNDEVELOPED OVARIES. ABSENCE OF OVARIES. 



The absence of ovaries has been often noticed in twin heifers, 

 and most commonly associated with deficiency or absence of the 

 womb, and even at the anterior part of the vagina. The condi- 

 tion is especially common, though not constant as some have 

 supposed, when the other twin is a male. Such females are 

 known as free martins and fail to breed. Even when the ovaries 

 are present in such twins they remain undeveloped, and are no 

 larger than a bean or hazel nut. These usually have a firm,' 

 fibrous structure, and though there may be interspaces filled with 

 a transparent fluid, no true Graafian follicles are formed. In 

 birds, the left ovary only is developed and physiologically active. 

 The absence of ovary has been noted also in the ewe, and less 

 frequently in the mare and other species, and appears to be more 

 common in twins than in single pregnancy. In cattle only has 

 the influence of the male on the female twin of the same preg- 

 nancy been specially noted. 



It has been noted that females with ovaries undeveloped, tend 

 to show many male characters, in head, horns, and neck in cattle, 

 in plumage in birds, and in voice in both. 



ATROPHY OF OVARIES. 



This is observed as a physiological result of having passed the 

 breeding age, and may also take place from disease and degene- 

 ration of the organ. The fibrous stroma is usually increased and 

 the cell elements reduced, yet in some cases, a cystic develop- 

 ment occurs, giving the appearance of hypertrophy, while the 

 ovarian parenchyma has actually been diminished. 



