450 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOOTOR. 
bichloride of mercury or corrosive sublimate, one part in 
2000 of water; all the instruments, sponges, and the operator’s 
hands were dipped in it. A line was drawn from one inch 
above the pubic bones to within an inch of the navel. The 
professor, keeping the two fingers of his left hand at the lower 
end, and on either side of the line, made a straight cut 
upwards about half an inch in depth. The blood came 
freely, but was dried up with the sponges applied by an 
assistant. One or two of the larger veins were compressed 
with forceps. Another cut was made, the blood wiped up, 
and some larger vessels tied with catgut ligatures which 
become absorbed. Another cut and the bleeding stopped in 
a similar way. The peritoneum was now reached; this was 
picked up with the forceps, and a small hole made in it. At 
the end of the cut a grooved director was inserted and pushed 
under the line of incision, care being taken that no part of 
the intestines were included. The director is like a probe with 
a groove on it to guide the lance or scalpel in cutting. 
The inner lining was now cut through and the abdomen 
opened. The professor introduced the first two fingers of the 
tight hand and felt f..r the ovary that had been the cause of 
suffering. Fortunately it was not tied or glued to the intestines 
or abdominal walls, as is often the case. It was brought out 
and examined, and in appearance was like a sheep’s kidney, 
but a little smaller; was larger than natural and presented the 
appearance of disease. A catgut ligature was then tied round 
the Fallopian tube that connecis the ovary tothe womb. This 
was to prevent bleeding. The ovary was then clipped offand 
cut open, when its diseased appearance was manifest. The 
other one was taken out, examined, and to all appearance 
was healthy, The professor hesitated for a minute, but made 
up his mind that it was better to make sure of no further 
trouble, so he separated it in like manner. ‘The stumps were 
kept outside till all bleeding was stopped, then sponged and 
put back. The abdomen was sponged out, closed, and six deep 
stitches put in with silver thread, other six superficial ones 
taken to bring the edges together. An antiseptic bandage 
