Amputation of the Uterus 847 



but one horn is involved, it may be placed as close as possible 

 to the point of bifurcation. The ligature must be applied very 

 tightly, and for this purpose powerful traction is required. The 

 ligated portion necessarily becomes sharply plicated, and unless 

 the ligature is drawn very tightly there will be an open avenue 

 for infection to pass through the amputated stump into the 

 peritoneal cavity. Unless very tightly ligated also, the partial 

 disappearance of the engorgement loosens the ligature and per- 

 mits the stump of the organ to slip away. 



The principle of the application of the ligature should be to 

 apply it so tight that the nutrition of the portion of the stump 

 beyond the ligature shall be completely cut off, so as to cause 

 immediate necrosis and prompt sloughing away. 



The elastic ligature is highly efficient, because it continues to 

 contract as the tissues of the organ give way, and so tends to 

 continue tight instead of becoming loosened by the yielding of 

 the tissues. In applying this ligature, a piece of stout cord should 

 be placed lengthwise upon the uterus, and the ligature applied 

 tightly around the. uterus and over the cord. The cord is then 

 tied over the ligature to hold it. The ligature may be passed 

 two or more times around the organ, according to its strength in 

 comparison to the size of the uterus. 



When the ligature has been securely applied, the uterus may 

 be cut off at a safe distance beyond it — in the cow usually about 

 3 to 4 inches. Care should be taken to leave a sufficiently large 

 stump to insure the ligature' against slipping when the vagina 

 returns into its position. On the other hand, it is inadvis- 

 able to leave an unnecessary amount of tissue, which must inevi- 

 tably undergo decomposition and consequently prove a danger 

 from the standpoint of infection. 



The ligature should come away ordinarily after 5 to 10 days, 

 along with the necrotic stump of the uterus. Pending this time, 

 the vagina should be irrigated daily with antiseptics. 



In the amputation of the organ, the veterinarian should aim, in 

 all cases where practicable, to include the ovaries in order to ob- 

 literate estrum along with the power of breeding. 



Closing the atnputation wound by means of sutures is more 

 surgical, and safer than the ligature. After thorough cleansing 

 of the prolapsed organ, it should be grasped and extended by an 

 assistant. A piece of heavy braided silk, about one yard long, 



