UNTOWARD SEQUEL/E. ■ ' 85 



frtare is not in tliat condition. It is not a matter of vital im- 

 portance, but as there is always mor^ congestion at these 

 times in the blood-vessels of the genitals there is more risk of 

 hemorrhage especially if the ovaries are removed rapidly. In 

 many instances the continual "period" makes it impossible to 

 operate except during the time the animal is in this condition, 

 and many of the caises in the Appendix were in full oestrum 

 when operated upon. They did hot in any way show systemic 

 disturbance in consequence. Beyond this factor the weatHer 

 need not be taken into consideration, so long as the patient is. 

 afterwards placed under good hygienic conditions. 

 • Uhtoward Sequelae.-^The untoward sequelae to be feared 

 are those, of surgical shock, iiijury to (and even removal of) a 

 piece of bowel, protrusion of the intestine through the vaginal 

 wall, eversion of the rectum, hserriorrhage, colic, the formation of 

 a serous swelling or ah abscess at the seat of operation, and 

 peritonitis. 



When- done under chloroform the danger of bad effect from 

 surgical shock seems practically nil. Should it dccur and the 

 patient refuse food, etc., the symptoms must be treated as they 

 arise. "■ ■ 



Sometimes a mare's bad habits will- be cured and her spirit 

 appear broken,^ but this is rather the exception than the rule. 



To avoid injury to the intestine great' care must always be 

 taken during the introduction and manipulation of the ecraseur. 

 The inclusion and removal of a piece of intestine would 

 inevitably result in death. 



Protrusion of the intestine through the vaginal wall is much 

 more likely to occur when the operation is done without an 

 anaesthetic, and especially if the operator has made a lai-ge 

 wound in the vaginal wall. It is also more liable to occur 

 when the yaginal wound is made below the os uteri, as when 

 made above this organ partly occludes it if the intestines are 

 forced up against the vagina from below. In the event of such, 

 an occurrence the inte.stine must be cleansed with antiseptic 



1 See Appemlix, Case 19. 



