SURGERY AND OBSTETRICS 365 



ment can be easily broken down by blunt dissection and the entire 

 horn freed. Two heavy compression forceps are clamped upon the 

 uterus about one inch apart after all fluids have been forced out by 

 manipulation. The uterine body is then severed and the broad liga- 

 ment on the opposite horn is bluntly separated up to the region of the 

 ovary where two compression forceps are clamped and the tissue sev- 

 ered between them, thus releasing all attacliments of both horns and 

 a portion of the body of the uterus. The severed structures in the re- 

 gion of the ovaries are ligated with catgut and the stump end of the 

 uterus, after being swabbed with tincture of iodin, is securely sutured 

 with catgut. Some operators prefer to fix the sutures by means of 

 needles or otherwise. 



The abdominal wound is sutured as previously described in hyster- 

 otomy. Hysterectomy is a much more serious operation than hyster- 

 otomy, and the percentage of recoveries will vary according to the 

 extent of septic infection or intoxication that exists at the time of op- 

 eration. 



Such patients should l)e given the best care possible and fed lightly 

 on slop feeds. 



ACCIDENTS OP PREGNANCY 



Some interesting conditions have been observed in the uterus of 

 sows. If several hundred uteri are examined where it is convenient, 

 as on the killing beds of an abattoir, some unusual conditions will be 

 noted. Cases of mummification of one or more fetuses within the 

 litems are relatively common. It appears as though the sow is not 

 as susceptible to iDutrefactive changes in the uterus as most other 

 animals. 



Prolapses of the vagina and uterus and uterine hernia or rupture 

 are not as common in swine as they are in horses and cattle. Most 

 cases of prolapse of the vagina and uterus terminate fatally before 

 the practitioner arrives, because of the severe hemorrhage. 



