DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION IN THE FEMALE 93 



health, and interferes with reproduction by irregular and imperfect oestra, 

 uncertain behaviour towards the male, and frequent failure of service. 

 The secretion of milk is diminished in proportion to the continuation and 

 profuse nature of the discharge, and though the appetite may be main- 

 tained, there is some loss of flesh and condition. To discover the parts 

 most implicated resort is had to an instrument known as the vaginascope 

 (fig. 235). 



The lining membrane of the canal is pallid, relaxed, and comparatively 

 insensitive to the touch. This applies more especially to the vagina, from 

 which there is a white, thick inodorous discharge, while in others a red, 

 swollen membrane may also display a rough granulated surface. The 

 OS uteri fails to con- 

 tract to its normal 

 proportions, and the 

 womb remains more 

 or less flaccid. 



Treatment. — 



Thorough cleansing 

 within and without, 

 disinfection and re- 

 moval of dried ad- 

 herent matter from Fig. 235.— The Vaginascope 



under and around 



the tail and hind -quarters, the injection of astringent agents, and the 

 administration of mineral tonics. For the first-named purpose a solution 

 of carbolic soap will prove suitable, for the second a weak solution of 

 sulphate of zinc, or permanganate of soda, iodoform, or lysol. For the 

 last the sulphate of iron and copper enjoy a high reputation, combined, 

 maybe, with some vegetable bitter, as gentian root or cinchona. 



A liberal diet, with a paddock for exercise and a hovel for rest, are 

 conditions which the prudent horseman will certainly provide. 



MAMMITIS 



The importance of the udder cannot well be exaggerated. Upon its 

 integrity and efficiency depends the life of the foal in nearly all cases, foster 

 mothers being difficult to procure, and milk substitutes unsatisfactory. In 

 the chapter dealing with the generative functions, with pregnancy, and 

 parturition the changes wrought in the mammary glands previous to 

 giving birth to young are described, and should render the following 

 remarks on mammitis more intelligible. It is permissible, perhaps, to 



