282 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



milch cows the value of the operation can hardly be over- 

 estimated, and is as yet but little understood by the American 

 dairyman. It has been demonstrated repeatedly by the 

 American veterinarian, during the last few years, that the 

 operation of spaying a milch cow within a reasonable time 

 after parturition will prolong the milking period one to two 

 years or even longer, without diminution of the supply. 

 When the secretion of milk finally diminishes to an unprofit- 

 able point the subject is a desirable one for fattening pur- 

 poses. In the mare the indication is limited to the nympho- 

 manic condition manifested by vicious switching of the tail 

 and kicking in harness. For this condition the operation is 

 hot a universal success, but improves and entirely cures a 

 sufficient number to warrant its recommendation on the 

 otherwise useless animal. 



Vaginal Ovariectomy in the Mare. 



INDICATIONS. — The spaying of mares is practiced to- 

 day solely to conquer the kicking mare, whose inclination 

 to kick is due to an irritable condition of the genitalia. The 

 disease is generally referred to as nymphomania, as the 

 patient appears to be in oestrum constantly or at least very 

 frequently. In harness, while being groomed, or when in 

 contact with other horses in the stable, the tail is switched, 

 spurts of urine are frequently ejected, the clitoris moves 

 actively, and there is an irresistible desire to kick at the stall 

 or in harness to demolish everything behind. In some sub- 

 jects these manifestations of bad temper are constant, while 

 in others they are periodical, corresponding to certain fre- 

 quent periods of oestrum. The disease seems to exist in 

 variable degrees of intensity. One will only occasionally ex- 

 hibit inconspicuous symptoms by leaning against the groom 

 or by feebly switching the tail occasionally while driving, 

 while another will almost constantly switch, kick, piss a"nd 

 even squeal at the slightest provocation. The former is 

 still useful ; the latter is a useless, miserable wretch ; and 

 between these two extremes are all the intermediate forms. 

 Some are only useful when reduced to fatigue by hard work; 

 some can only be worked single, and others work well for a 

 time and then finally are seized with a desire to act viciously. 



The disease has not been satisfactorily explained as to 

 its pathogeny. That it is a disease running a definite, chronic 

 course, accentuating with age, is admitted. Observations 

 clearly prove its existence, but its nature, its location and its 



