VAGINAL OVARIECTOMY IN THE MARE 283 



cause are unknown quantities. The ovaries are not always 

 abnormal ; generally they seem perfectly sound, and the 

 uterus is not affected with a chronic inflammation. The 

 clitoris, however, is usually red, tumefied, and sensitive, but 

 as this is easily an effect rather than a cause, much remains to 

 be explained about all features of the disease. 



An irritation of the genitalia coupled with a bad temper 

 (a shrew) that vents by kicking and which in turn becomes 

 a confirmed habit, must answer for an explanation until in- 

 vestigations prove the real cause. 



The results of the operation are not immediate in the 

 confirmed case. From three to twelve months sometimes 

 elapse before there is any perceptible change in the dispo- 

 sition. Generally the urination ceases first, to announce that 

 improvement has begun ; then the desires to kick become less 

 frequent and finally the switchings of the tail become more 

 feeble. The latter, however, usually remains to a certain 

 extent for all times ; there will always be some inclination to 

 switch at intervals. In younger mares, where the habit of 

 kicking is less confirmed, the cure is more certain and much 

 more prompt. Usually one to two months after the opera- 

 tion the patient has developed into a fairly good individual. 

 Failures have been reported, but it is evident that these are 

 due to the anticipation of immediate relief rather than to the 

 absolute failure of the operation. Futhermore, success in 

 the confirmed subject, depends considerably upon judicious 

 handling. The unfortunate creature should be kept at work, 

 and prevented from kicking by kind treatment, until the 

 habit is forgotten. Rough handling will perpetuate the 

 habit in spite of the operation. 



PREPARATION.— The operation is much more easily 

 performed when the bowels are empty. An oleaginous 

 purge three days before the operation, and a restricted 

 regimen for two days, should not be omitted. 



RESTRAINT. — Restraint by means of the, stocks is much 

 the best. But in lieu of stocks the patient may be placed in 

 a narrow, single stall, the standing position maintained with 

 slings, and the hind legs hoppled to provide against kicking. 

 In addition the nose is twitched, the head held in an elevated 

 position, and a rope stretched across the dorsum to prevent 

 arching the back and to hinder straining. The tail is braided 

 and held upward. with a rope passed over a beam or ring in 

 the ceiling. Mares may also be spayed in the recumbent 

 position, tied, preferably with the English hopples or other 

 method of fixing the feet together with the legs fully extend- 



