VAGINAL OVARIOTOMY IN THE MARE. tl5 



strument to the ovary and drop the loop over it from above. 

 Pass some of the fingers beneath the ovary and push it up 

 through the chain loop and grasp it there with the thumb 

 and index finger. Holding the ovary with one hand tighten 

 the chain quickly with the other, examine to make sure 

 that a loop of intestine is not caught, draw the ovary well 

 through and get a large portion of the oviduct, and cut off 

 promptl}^ holding to the gland until carried out through 

 the vulva. Remove the other ovary in the same way. 

 Generally it is most convenient to remove the left ovary 

 with the right hand and vice-versa but each may be re- 

 moved with either hand. Wash away any blood from the 

 external parts, apply sublimate solution freely to the vulva, 

 perineum and tail. Keep the patient quiet for five or six 

 days, and feed lightly on a laxative diet. 



II. In operating under anaesthesia the animal should 

 be cast or confined upon the operating table in lateral re- 

 cumbency preferably with the posterior part of the body 

 somewhat higher than the anterior so as to avoid visceral 

 pressure in the pelvic cavity. Place the animal under com- 

 plete anaesthesia. Prepare the parts* in the same manner 

 as already described. Carry the knife into the vagina in 

 the manner previously described and render the roof of that 

 organ tense by pushing the os uteri downward and forward 

 with, the hand or by means of a vaginal tensor or speculum. 

 It is important that the vagina be held well down toward 

 the floor of the pelvis so as to carry itiway from the rectum 

 and posterior aorta and its branches while the incision is 

 being made. The incision is now to be made just above 

 and behind and a trifle to one .side of the os uteri in essential- 

 ly the same manner as under I, except that the cut is now 

 made upward and backward instead of directly forward. 

 The remainder of the operation is identical with what we 

 have described under I. Under anaesthesia the vagina is 

 flaccid and can not be made to "balloon." 



