622 Veterinary Obstetrics 



We may use a variety of disinfectants, and the thorough use 

 of any one of them will render a more or less efficient service. 

 I^ysol has a marked superiority as a disinfectant in these cases, 

 because, in addition to possessing a high bactericidal power, the 

 solution is unctuous and renders the hands and arms slippery as 

 would oil or fat, and thus favors their introduction into the geni- 

 tal passages. Possibly a better protection to the operator may 

 be afforded by astringent antiseptics. Corrosive sublimate, with 

 its high bactericidal power, possesses astringency to a consider- 

 able degree, and tends thereby to close the mouths of the hair 

 follicles and glands in a way to prevent the invasion of the dis- 

 ease organisms. Permanganate of potash also has a very high 

 efficiency, and is more astringent than the corrosive sublimate. 

 It has still another very estimable quality, in cases of putrid de- 

 composition of the fetus, in that it is one of the best, if not the 

 best deodorizer which is in common use. After using this 

 drug it is necessary to use a warm concentrated solution of oxalic 

 acid to decolorize the stain on the skin. If some one of these 

 antiseptics is used frequently and freely in this way and, as 

 soon as one supply of the solution becomes contaminated, it is 

 thrown away and a fresh solution prepared, much will be accom- 

 plished toward preventing any infection of the operator's hands 

 or arms. 



Preliminary to any measures looking to the prevention of in- 

 fection of the hands and arms of the operator by the direct appli- 

 cation of antiseptics to these parts, should be the disinfection of 

 the patient. Before undertaking the examination or operation, 

 the tail, vulva, and all the surrounding parts should be thoroughly 

 cleansed and disinfected. If the vaginal canal is soiled, it should 

 be thoroughly flushed out with a disinfectant. If the fetus is 

 putrid, there should be repeatedly forced into the uterine cavity, 

 alongside of the fetus, large volumes of a warm disinfecting fluid, 

 preferably of lysol, because of its unctuous character. Not only 

 should the uterine cavity be filled with large volumes of such 

 disinfectants prior to the beginning of the operation, but the, dis- 

 infection should be repeated frequently throughout the entire 

 operation. By such a plan, not only is the operator protected, 

 in the largest measure possible, but the patient also is protected 

 against serious infection through abrasions which may exist or 

 be caused in the course of the operations. 



If the animal is recumbent and cannot be induced to stand, it 



