I20 VAGINAL OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW. 



taay be distinguished as a firm oval mass 2 to 4 cm. in length 

 and I to 2 cm. in its lesser diameter attached to the broad 

 ligament. If not promptly recognized by the sense of touch, 

 trace the vagina and uterus forwards with the fingers from 

 the vaginal incision to the cornua and follow them as they 

 bend forward and downward, and then backward and up- 

 ward to the oviducts, until the ovary is reached where it is 

 attached to the broad ligament, just beyond the fimbriated 

 end. Grasp the ovary between the fingers and draw it 

 through the incision into the vagina. Introduce the 

 scissors with the other hand, and when the ovary is reached 

 open them barely sufficient to admit its attachments between 

 the blades and cut it away along with a portion of the 

 broad ligament. Or introduce the ecraseur and drawing the 

 ovary through the loop of the chain and holding it securely 

 until the instrument is tightened, crush it off in this way. 

 It is essential that plenty of the broad ligament and oviduct 

 be excised with the ovary to insure the entire lemoval of 

 the latter, because the accidental leaving of the smallest 

 particle of ovarian tissue will cause a development of this 

 into abnormally large Graafian follicles, and will tend to 

 increase instead of decrease nymphomania. Should the 

 animal be pregnant the ovary on the gravid side is dragged 

 downward and forward out of reach of the operator's 

 fingers, and if it is desired to complete the operation it may 

 be necessary to enlarge the vaginal wound and introduce 

 the entire hand, when the ovary can be reached aud re- 

 moved. Generally no after care is necessary. 



The Dangers are similar to those of the mare. The 

 iUac arteries may be wounded in the same manner as in the 

 mare and is preventable by being careful to push the vaginal 

 roof well downwards away from the rectum and sacrum. 

 In rare in.stances fatal hemorrhage follows the cutting off 

 of the ovaries with the scissors especially in cows which are 

 very fat and lack tone as a result of close confinement. For 



