SUKGERY AND OBSTETRICS 368 



within the first six hours of labor. An unfavorable prognosis should 

 be given if the temperature is 105° P. or above. 



Anesthesia 



The administration of cliloroform or the various chloroform mix- 

 tures is not satisfactory, as swine are especially susceptible to chloro- 

 form poisoning. Chloral hydrate injected per rectum usually pro- 

 duces sufficient stupor so that this operation can be successfully per- 

 formed. From one to four drams of chloral hydrate dissolved in 

 water is the usual dose required for swine. It usually requires about 

 twentjr minutes for chloral to produce its action. Some practitioners 

 do not use any anesthetic in performing this operation, but it is 

 probable that better results will be obtained where anesthetics are em- 

 ployed. 



Restraint 



The patient should be placed on either the right or left side in a 

 horizontal position and properly secured. The front legs may be se- 

 cured to a post and the hind legs held by an attendant. 



Instruments 



Curved needles, two or three threaded with silk and the same num- 

 ber threaded with catgut, a scalpel, a long forceps, several smaller 

 compression forceps, one or two pairs of scissors, clean towels, sterile 

 gauze, absorbent cotton and a vessel for antiseptic solution is usually 

 sufficient equipment for this operation. 



Technic 



The urine should be drawn, the area in the flank just posterior to 

 the last rib is shaved or clipped, cleansed and painted with iodin. 

 An incision through the entire abdominal structures is made about 

 midway between the external iliac spine and the last rib, the direction 

 of the incision being obliquely downward and forward and about 

 four inches in length. Hemorrhage should be controlled. The skin 

 surface adjacent to the incision should be covered with towels or 

 clean cloths before introducing the hand. The location of the fetuses 

 should be determined by manipulation. By gentle traction the gravid 

 horn should be brought to the surface and the condition of the uterus 

 determined. If both horns are gravid it is advisable to make a care- 



