CHAPTER V 



The Abdomen 



Abdominal Section. Celiotomy. Laparotomy 



The operation of opening the abdominal cavity of a healthy 

 animal is ordinarily remarkably free from any ill-effect. It is ex- 

 ceedingly rare that peritonitis supervenes, even when the precau- 

 tions amount merely to an observation of the ordinary rules of 

 cleanliness. In fact, it may be unreservedly asserted that the 

 necessity for antisepsis, so far as fear of infecting the peritoneum 

 is concerned, has been greatly overrated. Numerous experiments 

 and abundant clinical observation have demonstrated beyond any 

 doubt that the peritoneum of the dog possesses extraordinary re- 

 fractory power against the action of pyogenic microorganisms. 

 (See The Peritoneum). There is little risk of peritonitis resulting 

 from introduction of any limited infection from without, such as 

 may occur during the course of an operation when the peritoneum 

 comes in contact with even the unwashed hands. Neither is there 

 any greater risk after it has been sealed by suturing of the muscular 

 wall. This is due to the well-known fibrinoplastic property of the 

 peritoneum. Wounded peritoneum possesses a remarkable power 

 of adhesiveness when brought in contact with peritoneum. This 

 fact is beautifully demonstrated during suturing operations of the 

 peritoneum, when fibrinous adhesions may be observed to form 

 and firmly bind apposed surfaces within a period of some half- 

 dozen minutes. The chief danger arises from the presence of much 

 putrescible matter, such as large blood clots and portions of organs 

 isolated from their vascular supply by ligature, etc., and allowed to 

 remain. The slightest infection sustained by quantities of such 

 matter is very liable to lead to general peritonitis. Extravasations 

 from the alimentary tract following imperfect apposition or suturing 

 of surgical wounds of the intestinal walls are always highly danger- 

 ous. In the various visceral-suturing experiments that have been 



