404 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



tension presses the bowels into the incision, bulging the 

 peritoneum in such a way as to render its incision more haz- 

 ardous. 



Second Step.— Search for the Lesion.— The incision gives 

 access to all' of the abdominal organs. The retractors are ap- 

 plied to the wound and attempt is made to locate the ab- 

 normality by inspection. If found, the part affected is drawn 

 out through the incision where it can be submitted to the 

 required surgical treatment". If, on the other hand, in- 

 spection proves futile, then the entire alimentary tract within 

 the abdominal cavity, beginning with the small intestines, is 

 palpated with the index finger. Failing in this, the bowels 

 are drawn out through the incision little by little until the 





wMii ,ii " i "' h ""'<" j ^ 



Fig. 203 — Lateral Anastomosis. 



lesion is found. By first drawing out the small intestines the 

 caecum, the colon and the stomach can then easily be brought 

 out and exposed to inspection. When the lesion is suspected 

 of being in the stomach, this organ may be first palpated and 

 then drawn through the incision for further examination. 

 The handling of the viscera in this manner is entirely with- 

 out danger of serious results if gently replaced in the order 

 of their withdrawal. 



Third Step. — The Operation Proper. — In enterotomies 

 of the small intestines the incision is' made longitudinally, 

 while in the large bowels transverse incision is preferable, 

 and when serious dilatations exist the resection of an ellip- 

 tical piece to reduce the size may be found advisable. In 

 enterectomies, wrjich in animals is performed only upon the 



