OVARIOTOMY IN THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
359 
and locating a position in the median line immediately above 
the os, awaits an opportunity when the animal is not straining 
and the vagina becomes dilated before making the incision. 
After exposing the blade place the sharp edge upward and push 
directly forward parallel with the body of the uterus, making 
sure that the incision includes the muscular walls of the vagina 
and the overlying serous coat; remove the knife, pass one or 
more fingers through the opening and gradually enlarge it so 
as to pass the hand into the abdominal cavity. In case the 
vagina does not dilate, it is then desirable to introduce the 
vaginal dilator, place it in the cervix, push forward and down¬ 
ward and make the incision as described above. 
After the opening is made pass the hand into the abdominal 
cavity, then locate the body of the uterus, trace it to the cornua, 
continue to the extremities of these, and there will be recognized 
the broad ligaments by which the ovaries are freely suspended, 
lying on either side well toward the flank. They are hard ovoid 
bodies about one and a half to two inches in length by one to 
one and a quarter inches in diameter, varying in different ani¬ 
mals of the same species, being largest at the period of sexual 
maturity. Having located and determined the ovaries, the next 
step is the introduction of the ecraseur, and passing the chain 
over the organ, draw up the slack and with the free hand pro¬ 
ceed to crush off the gland, in the meantime holding fast to the 
ovary which is being removed until it is safely brought to the 
exterior. 
The second is secured and removed in the same manner. It 
is better to introduce the right hand with the instrument for 
the removal of the left ovary, and vice versa for the right, but 
both may be removed with the same hand. 
The operation in the bitch and cat is alike. For the flank 
operation the animal is secured upon the right side on an inclin¬ 
ing surface. The incision is made through the left flank from 
a point about one inch from the ventral border of the lumbar 
muscles and just in front of the external angle of the ilium, ex¬ 
tending downward toward the median line about one and a half 
