Diagnosis, Treatment. 757 



The vesicular exanthema with which the disease is fre- 

 quently confounded, is associated with febrile sjiiiptoms, in 

 which on the vaginal mucous membrane lentil to pea-sized 

 vesicles, and only a small number of hard nodules develop 

 within 3 to 4 days, which however change into vesicles, and 

 later into ulcerations. Besides in this disease complete recovery 

 follows in 2, more rarely in from 3 to 4 weeks. In infectious 

 abortion the nodules which are sometimes observed on the 

 vaginal mucous membrane appear only several days after the 

 expulsion of the fetus, and disappear shortly after. More- 

 over the usually profuse vaginal discharge contains the bacillus 

 of abortion in great numbers. Of course animals may be affected 

 with both diseases simultaneously. Profuse and especially 

 fetid vaginal discharge in general indicates a complication with 

 one or another inflammatory affection of the genital organs. 



According to Schneider a vaginitis may develop in weakly 

 or poorly developed cows after copulation by mechanical means, 

 which is manifested by a marked reddening and frequently 

 follicular swelling of the mucous membrane, as well as a muco- 

 purulent discharge, in severe cases also in erosions and ulcera- 

 tions. 



Treatment. One of the most important requirements for 

 satisfactory results consists in cleanliness, disinfection, and 

 most painstaking care of the stables, also in the careful 

 supervision of copulation, in order not to hinder the healing 

 process by reinfection and fresh additional inflammation. 



The most varied antiseptic and astringent remedies are 

 recommended for treatment in various forms of application. 

 The results however depend not so much on the selection of 

 the remedies, as on the care and the accuracy of their applica- 

 tion, as well as on the persistence of the treatment. In general 

 it is recommended to repeat it in short (daily), later in longer 

 (2 to 3 days) intervals, and to continue at least until the com- 

 plete cessation of the discharge, if possible, even until the 

 disappearance of the nodules, therefore on an aA^erage for 5 

 to 6 weeks. 



For local treatment, which may be supported effectively 

 by cleaning and washing the external genital parts with luke- 

 warm soda solution or Avith 1-2% lysol or creolin solution, 

 irrigation of the vagina with mildly acting disinfecting solutions 

 is indicated, especially in acute cases, as in such treatment 

 the remedies come in contact with all parts of the mucous 

 membrane. In less acute and more protracted cases, tampons, 

 painting, powdering, liniments, salves and suppositories come 

 into consideration, all of which exert an intensive healing action 

 at the point of application and in their immediate surroundings. 

 Considering their easy application, as well as the fact that in 

 this the remedy remains for a longer time in contact with the 

 affected parts of the mucous membrane, these methods of treat- 



