Nymphomania in the Mare. 243 



of the tail. Neither clitoridectomy, caudal myectomy nor ampu- 

 tation affects in any way the possibility of breeding. 



3. Ovariotomy. Oophorectomy. 



When nymphomania referable to ovarian disease is present and 

 can not otherwise be effectively overcome, castration is indicated. 



In mares not desired for breeding purposes, the cure of ovarial 

 nymphomania otherwise than by castration is all too liable to 

 prove ephemeral and unreUable, so that castration in these cases 

 at once presents itself as the most reliable and enduring remedy. 

 The operation is comparatively simple and not highly dangerous. 



It may be performed either in the standing or the recumbent 

 position and with or without anaesthesia. In case of a valuable 

 pedigreed mare desired for breeding purposes, with but one ovary 

 diseased, the operation is to be limited to the affected gland. 



In the standing position, without anaesthesia, the patient is 

 secured in stocks, or otherwise, in a manner to prevent lying 

 down, kicking or any extensive movements. 



The vulva and vagina, as well as contiguous parts, are well 

 washed and disinfected, avoiding always the introduction into 

 the vagina of irritant antiseptics. 



After the proper antiseptic precautions have been taken, the 

 vagina should be partly filled with a sterilized, warm i % soda 

 bicarbonate solution, which will cause the vagina to dilate or 

 balloon. This condition having been brought about, the vaginal 

 walls are tense and firm and the operative area is above the 

 OS uteri externum and standing perpendicular to the long axis of 

 the vagina. Through this a stab wound is to be made, directly 

 forward, large enough to admit one or more fingers into the 

 peritoneal cavity and the opening thus made forcibly dilated by 

 the fingers until the entire hand is passed through and the 

 ovaries reached. The ecraseur is then carried in, the ovary 

 caught in the loop of the chain and the gland promptly detached 

 by ecrasement. This usually takes place, so far as we have been 

 able to determine, without important hemorrhage. However, in 

 one case, when the instrument was too sharp, fatal hemorrhage 

 followed. Possibly there is usually a greater amount of hemor- 

 rhage than we ordinarily suspect, and it is well to take care that 

 the instrument is sufficiently blunt, as indicated by the force re- 



