OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW BY THE FLANK. 121 



this reason it is apparently safer in confined cows to use the 

 ecraseur but even this instrument is not wholly proof 

 against hemorrhage and fatalities have been rarely recorded 

 after its use so that some veterinarians have advised ligation 

 of the arteries instead but this is a complex process which re- 

 quires much time for its accomplishment. A new danger 

 appears in the presence of the rumen, the supero-posterior 

 portion of which projects into the pelvic cavity when filled 

 with food and if the cut is directed forwards a stab wound 

 readily penetrates its walls with fatal results. Make the 

 cut upwards and backwards. 



29. OVARIOTOMY IN THE COW BY THE FLANK. 



Instruments. Clipping shears, convex scalpel, spaying 

 shears, or ecraseur, heavy needle and thread. 



Uses. Same as the preceding, applicable to heifers or to 

 cows in which the vulva is too small to admit the operator's 

 hand or in case of diseased vagina or uterus. 



The animal may be secured as in the preceding or con- 

 fined in lateral recumbency with the hind legs extended 

 backward and the anterior limbs forward. To accomplish 

 this loop a rope about the two fore feet, another about the 

 two hind feet, and drawing upon these, cast the animal and 

 secure it in recumbency with the legs extended and body 

 stretched b3' fastening the ropes to two strong posts about 

 8 to 10 m apart. The operation may Be performed in either 

 flank. 



Clip the hair from the upper part of the flank, disinfect 

 an area 15 to 25 cm. square and make an incision about 12 

 cm. long beginning at a point equi-distant from the anterior 

 tuberosity of the ilium, the ends of the transverse processes 

 of the lumbar vertebrae and the last rib and extend it down- 

 ward perpendicularly severing the skin and subcutaneous 

 muscle. Divide the external oblique muscle in the direction 



