374 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
through these structures ; therefore an opening at the linea 
alba, through the vagina or the inguinal canal is not a laparo¬ 
tomy, but a celiotomy. Laparotomy is always a celiotomy, but 
celiotomy may not be a laparotomy. The term celiotomy is 
preferable, and is generally used in referring to a surgical 
opening of the abdomen, no matter what route is taken. Ab¬ 
dominal section is a term often used in this connection and is 
very applicable. 
The abdominal cavity is seldom opened by making an incis¬ 
ion through the abdominal walls of such animals as the horse, 
but it is frequently reached by other routes, such as in castra¬ 
tion of cryptorchids, through the inguinal canal; or in ovariec¬ 
tomy through the vagina ; in the ox laparotomy is an opera¬ 
tion followed-with very good results; and the dog tolerates 
most any abdominal section better than other domestic ani¬ 
mals. In locating the most favorable place to open the cavity 
th esplanchnology of the animal should be carefully studied. 
The solipeds with their distended abdomen, which is a result of 
the great development of the colon and caecum, have no very 
favorable place for such surgical interference ; ruminants, with 
their large, well-developed stomachs, and comparatively small 
colon and caecum, have as a result of this splanchnotomic dif¬ 
ference less tension upon the flank than the horse, hence toler¬ 
ate laparotomy better ; and carnivora, with their colon but lit¬ 
tle larger than the small intestine, the caecum very small, and 
the abdomen not normally distended, can as a consequence of 
these peculiarities withstand celiotomy at various places with 
a degree of assurance that the results will be favorable. 
I. Celiotomy .—The technique is as follows : Secure the pa¬ 
tient properly, and if the work you wish to accomplish after 
the cavity is open requires delicate manipulation, a general 
anaesthetic should be administered. The surface chosen for the 
incision should be clipped and shaved, and made as near aseptic 
as possible by washing it with soap and hot water and a strong 
antiseptic solution. This should be done, when possible, the 
day before the operation, and repeat the application of soap 
and hot water and the strong antiseptic solution just 
prior to it. In the horse the incision should be made in the 
left flank a little below and anterior to the external angle of 
the ilium. Make the incision through the skin and external 
muscles of the length desired, then make a small opening at 
the superior extremity of this incision and insert the fingers 
into the peritoneal cavity and use them to prevent the viscera 
