78 



OVARIOTOMY OF TROUBLESOME MARES. 



a space as possible, he takes the knife (with the guard closed) 

 in the hollow of his hand and passes it slowly and steadily into 

 the vagina as far as the os uteri. This may cause a little 

 straining on the part of the patient, and, if so, a momentary 

 interval should be allowed. The blade of the knife is placed 

 against the mucous membrane of the vagina (in a position 

 which would be vertical if the mare was on her feet) above the 

 OS — i.e., between the os uteri and the spine — and the guard 

 withdrawn. Some operators advise that the puncture shall be 



Fio. 30. 

 Vaginal speculum. 



made below the os?- I have tried both situations, but (unless 

 the space above the os is abnormally small) prefer this position, 

 as there is less likelihood of intestinal protrusion afterwards. 

 The chief thing to be said in favour of the lower puncture is 

 that the plunge of the knife is made at a further distance away 

 from the aorta and rectum than when made above. When she 

 is perfectly still a short sharp plunge is made in a forward 

 and slightly downward direction, the object being to merely 



1 Lukes. Proceedings of the National Veterinary Association at Plymouth, 1899. 

 (•'Veterinary Record," Vol. XII., page 261.) 



