768 GENITO-URINARY ORGANS. 



of the parts is most violent, the animal's struggles most energetic 

 and the pain most acute, so that great care must be taken not to 

 let go the horn which has already been secured. 



When the second ovary appears at the external orifice, it is secured 

 like the preceding, and both are removed by torsion. The horns of 

 the uterus are then freed and returned to the abdominal cavity, the 

 wound is thoroughly disinfected and united with from one to three 

 interrupted sutures passed through the skin. The animal is then 

 allowed to rise. Complications are rare. 



In small females the uterine horns are often removed by tor- 

 sion along with the ovaries. In adults, only the ovaries are 

 removed. 



Subsequent Precautions : Operatiye Accidents. — The patients are 

 kept on low diet for some days after operation. Accidental stripping 

 away of the peritoneum at the seat of operation may sometimes 

 result in the formation of a little abscess when the wound has been 

 infected. This is diagnosed by direct examination or palpation. The 

 lips of the wound are then opened in order to permit the pus to 

 escape and avoid peritonitis. Should the horns of the uterus or the 

 broad ligaments be roughly manipulated, they may be torn to some 

 extent, but this rarely causes grave complications. 



Bleeding from the incision in the abdominal wall is of little 

 importance. 



Hernia rarely occurs, for the opening in the peritoneum is of 

 very small size. 



In rare cases, and when care is not used, a portion of the intestine 

 may be sutured to the margin of the wound. The intestine then 

 becomes adherent to the abdominal wall, but grave results seldom 

 follow. 



SUTURE OF THE VULVA 



In cases of recurrence after reduction of an inversion of the 

 uterus or the vagina it may become necessary to suture the vulva 

 in order to control the effects of straining. 



Several forms of suture are employed ; the best are probably 

 those of Eainard and Strebel. 



Simple Suture. — Simple suture may be formed of very flexible 

 copper wires. Three are usually inserted, one at the base, one about 

 the middle, and one near the upper third of the vulval opening. 

 The ends of each suture are knotted and drawn moderately tight over 

 the opening, then one of the ends of the highest knot is united verti- 

 cally to an end of the middle knot, and the latter in its turn is simi- 

 larly secured to the lowest knot. 



