The Abdomen 191 



nant at the time of operation, and later brought forth their young 

 at full term. Frank had a similar experience, operating on the 

 thirtieth day of May, and the puppies were born on the thirteenth 

 day of June following. 



Jordan observed that the presence of tape-worms in the canal 

 had an unfavorable effect on the healing process. 



VENTROFIXATION. 



This operation consists in producing the formation of adhesions 

 between the wall of a portion of the intestine and the abdominal 

 wall by means of sutures. It has been undertaken by a few opera- 

 tors as a preventive measure against procidence. It must be re- 

 membered, however, that it involves the formation of a flexure at 

 the site of fixation, which at some subsequent period may become 

 the seat of fecal impaction. Lienaux and Gray have reported re- 

 coveries from procidence by this operation, but the reports having 

 been made within comparatively short periods after its perform- 

 ance (three months in Lienaux's case) are valueless as to the 

 ultimate' effect on the bowel. Hence, it is an operation which 

 is not to be counselled until all other means have failed. The 

 technic is as follows: The abdominal cavity being opened in the 

 lateral position, gently withdraw the everted portion, at the same 

 time having an assistant help by external manipulation. Next 

 insert the stitches which are to close the abdominal wall, but do 

 not tie them. Now pass two or three fine interrupted silk sutures, 

 threaded each to an ordinary milliner's needle, into one side of the 

 wall of the bowel in a direction at right angles to the long axis 

 of the canal, by which they do not interfere with its vascularity, 

 taking care that the stitches do not penetrate beyond the submucosa. 

 Carry the sutures so as to include the peritoneum and part of the 

 muscular coat, a short distance from the margin of the incision. 

 Then tie these stitches, which brings the gut into the desired posi- 

 tion, cut the ends off short, and finally secure those in the muscular 

 wall, and close the external wound as in celiotomj'. 



RECTAL IRRIGATION. ENEMETA. 



The injection of fluids into the bowel is a valuable surgical 

 and therapeutic measure. It is employed for three purposes, viz.. 



