268 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



cretion to be an active oxidizing agent, which when eliminated from 

 the economy, diminishes oxidation of the organic phosphates con- 

 tained in the tissues, and these, combining with earthy bases, are 

 deposited in the bones in the form of calcium and magnesium phos- 

 phates. On the other hand, Mosse and Oulie claim that the quan- 

 tity of phosphoric acid is increased and not diminished. 



The operation can safely be performed at any period of the 

 animal's life, but the age to be preferred in virgin animals is be- 

 tween five months and the advent of puberty (about ten months), 

 selection of the time depending upon size of breed. It is not ad- 

 visable to operate while estruation is imminent or in progress owing 

 to risk of inflammation resulting from the congested condition of 

 the parts. Francis recorded an instance of fatal termination from 

 peritonitis after having operated under protest while the animal 

 was passing through the period, and in my own practice I have 

 experienced inflammation and chronic hemorrhage to follow, where 

 the operation was undertaken shortly before the period. The best 

 time to operate on matron females is a few weeks after. 



The animal should be placed in the dorsal position and se- 

 curely hoppled and anesthetised, or a narcotic may be previ- 

 ously administered. Some operators prefer to narcotise and then 

 suspend the animal by the hind legs, this position having some ad- 

 vantage in lessening the tendency to protrusion of other viscera. The 

 abdomen may be opened by median or lateral section. The former is 

 to be preferred, and the incision should be made slightly to either side 

 of the linea alba, and immediately posterior to the umbilicus. If it 

 is made further back than this it is difficult to separate the organs 

 from their anterior attachments. When a flank incision is made, 

 but one is necessary, as both glands can be removed through the 

 same opening. With a little practice it is not a difficult matter 

 to acquire dexterity in finding the ovaries. Their position is be- 

 neath the fourth lumbar vertebra immediately posterior to the 

 kidneys. One uterine comu should first be sought. The peritoneal 

 cavity being exposed, the omentum is drawn forward and stowed 

 away anteriorly. The index finger is then introduced and directed 

 along the internal aspect of the wall on one side till it reaches the 

 sublumbar region, Here it is made to hook round the cornu, v/hich 

 is immediately brought to the surface. By following this pro- 

 cedure the cornu can be almost immediately found, but to dive in 



