.84 



OVARIOTOMY OF TROUHLESOME MARES. 



the vagina, or by ruptiiring tlie wall with the finger nail. \A'hen 

 the latter is done the contents may fall into the abdominal 

 cavity, but, if not septic or purulent, need give rise to no 

 alarm. 1 



Influence of Age and Time of Year.— In regard to the 

 safety of the patient the age does not appear to be of materia! 

 importance, but it has some cijnsiderable bearing upon the 

 ultimate success in curing the vicious propensities ; although 



Fk;. 34. 



(!) ^Vn ovajy of normal size. (2) An atjnormally lari,^c and cystic one. 



(Apjiejidi-x r'awe 20). 



the length of time these have existed is a much more important 

 item. The operator may talk of a successful sequel in a mare 

 under eight or nine years with much more confidence than 

 in one over that age. As a rule, if an old mare becomes 

 an inveterate kicker, even when the primary cause has been 

 removed, the habit still persists. 



The season of the year to some extent influences the periods 

 of cestrum, and it is better, if possible, to operate when the 



^ See i\pi>endi.t, (_'ase 2!l. 



