SURGICAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE COLLECTION OF LYMPH FROM UNANÆSTHETIZED SHEEP

Abstract

Surgical techniques for collecting lymph from the thoracic, hepatic, intestinal and mammary lymph ducts of sheep are described. Recirculating thoracic and intestinal lymph fistulæ were maintained for periods of up to 2–3 weeks. At the end of this time the sheep were in good condition and had lost little weight. Liver lymph was collected for 2–3 weeks and mammary lymph for periods up to 10 weeks. The lymph from these preparations was collected into a plastic bottle sutured to the animal's flank. The sheep with hepatic lymph fistule showed a loss in weight after about 7–10 days but remained in good health for 2–3 weeks. The drainage of lymph from the udder for periods up to 10 weeks had little effect on the general condition of the sheep.