THE URO-GENITAL SYSTEM 129 



tains a bloody, putrid fetus or fetuses, as septic metritis is 

 most frequently a sequel of retention and putrefaction of 

 the young. 



Prognosis should be guarded, as the disease is 

 usually fatal. 



Symptoms. Prostration and a purulent or putrid 

 discharge from the vulva are the primary signs of septic 

 metritis. There is inappetence, fever, and hyper- 

 sensitiveness of pelvic region. 



Treatment. Irrigation of the uterus and a washing 

 away of the offending material is essential, but is attended 

 with some difficulty in the sow owing to the small size of 

 the genital organs. Hysterectomy has been advised but 

 should not be practiced in those cases showing high 

 temperature and prostration, and it is doubtful if it will 

 prove successful in sufficient number of cases to justify 

 its use. 



Tumors 



Various tumors, such as fibroma, myxoma, sarcoma, 

 epithelioma, and carcinoma, have been observed in the 

 uterus. The various tumors partake of the same general 

 nature as the same type of tumor elsewhere in the body. 

 Should an antemortem diagnosis be made, and the 

 tumor found to be producing considerable injury, hys- 

 terectomy is indicated. 



VAGINA 



Cloaca formation occasionally occurs in swine. This 

 condition results from fusion of the rectum and vagina, 

 there being but one external opening common to the 

 uro-genital and digestive tubes. This deformity does 

 not interfere with health, but it practically prohibits 

 breeding. Although it may be relieved by operation, 

 the value of the animal usually does not warrant such 

 procedure. 



Injuries to the vagina are occasionally inflicted during 

 parturition, but the condition is seldom recognized and 

 rarely causes noticeable after effects. 



