OVARIOTOMY OF TROUBLESOME 

 MARES. 



Definition and Reason for Operating.— By the term oophor- 

 ectomy is meant the removal of the healthy ovaries, and the word 

 " ovariotomy " is used in the same sense when these organs are 

 diseased. The commoner application, by which either is 

 better understood in country districts, is that of "spaying." 

 To "spay'' an animal means to remove its ovaries, and the 

 operation is practised on all the domesticated animals, especially 

 the sow, the bitch and the cat! In the smaller animals the 

 ovaries are removed through an incision in the flank or linea 

 alba, and the flank method of operation used to be followed out 

 for the mare and cow. Now, however, thanks to the researches 

 of Charlier and Colin, removal through the vagina has com- 

 pletely taken its place. This method is cleaner, more surgical, 

 and safer in every way. 



In the mare it is by no means uncommon to get a condition 

 of almost constant oestrum, during which period she will behave 

 most indecently, squealing, stretching her hind legs apart and 

 passing urine in short, sharp, jerky streams at frequent intervals. 

 She may even become vicious and lash out or stamp her feet 

 furiously. When put into harness she may lie against the shaft, 

 or merely become out of condition, stubborn and listless. If 

 anything touches the hind quarters she will kick and squeal. 

 In some mares this state of affairs persists during oestrum ; in 



