310 
F. S. BILLINGS. 
is from 30 to 35 ctm. (12 to 14 inches) long, according to the size of 
the animal; it embraces anteriorly the cervix uteri with the orificium 
uteri externum, and is on the anterior end outwardly embraced by the 
peritoneum, which is easily to be separated from the muscularis. Su¬ 
perior to the vagina is the rectum, which is at once drawn upward by 
the operation of vaginotomy (nervous action), and antero-inferiorly to 
the rectum the vesica urinaria is situated ; the ovaries are situated later¬ 
ally to the uterus, somewhat lower than the latter, are bound to the 
cornua of same by their ligaments and the tubae fallopianae, and en¬ 
closed in a duplicature of the peritoneum, otherwise free ; they are more 
flat than round, and vary in size from that of a bean to a walnut, or even 
larger; their arteries, branches of the aa spermatica intern, have a very 
irregular course, and this is probably the reason that hemorrhage is so 
easily stilled after operation, though thrombosis and a violent hemorr¬ 
hage is a thing of seldom occurrence. The vaginal mucusa has many 
rugae, and reacts very quickly against the influence of instreaming air. 
It distends itself very quickly, and makes the formation of a fold impos¬ 
sible for a short time. 
One of the modifications which Charlier’s method soon suffered 
was in regard to vaginotomy. While Charlier, Werner, Colin per¬ 
formed the same after previously distending the vagina in a vertical di¬ 
rection, the brothers Richter proposed another way : they formed a 
simple transverse fold in the superior parietes of the vagina, punctured 
the same at its basis, and cut downwards. The undeniable advantage 
of this method is, aside from the much cheaper instruments required, 
that we have only to enter the vagina once with the left hand in order to 
entirely complete the operation, while by Charlier’s method the section 
is made with the right hand, and the withdrawal of the ovaries effected 
with the left hand. Manipulations, which not only require much time, 
but also allow the entrance of more air than is proper into the cavum 
abdominis. J. Richter introduced into use a knee-scissors for cutting 
through the folds made in the vaginal parietes, which, however, found 
but little adoption, in that it was not always certain to make the cut at 
once, and led to laceration of the wound. All operators are united in 
making the operation 3 to 4 ctm. (f to 1-j- inches) from the orificium 
uteri externum, and in the medium line of the superior vaginal parietes, 
and that it is an unpleasant circumstance when the peritoneum is not 
concomitantly sectioned. In the last case several operators recommend 
the perforation of the same with the fingers; but this is seldom success¬ 
ful, and has for a consequence the formation of sinus, by the separation 
