378 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



the assistance of the right hand in the rectum. When a firm 

 hold has been taken, the forceps are rotated to and fro or 

 even turned one complete revolution to assure against a pos- 

 sible pinching of the vesical mucous membrane. The with- 

 drawal now begins by pulling firmly backward upon the for- 



Fig. 185 — A Urethrotomy for Removal- of Cystic Calculi 



ceps. If the stone is a small one no trouble is encountered 

 in effecting an immediate delivery, but if its dimensions tax 

 the caliber of the urethra, the latter must be carefully 

 "peeled" forward as the backward traction continues. The 

 peeling process is effected with the fingers or with the handle 



Fig. 191 

 Figs. 190 and 191— Lithotrites. 



of a scalpel, and is patiently continued until the largest diam- 

 eter of the stone is reached, at which moment it is found sud- 

 denly released. The speed with which this can be done will 

 depend largely upon the character of the stone's surface. If 



