INJURIES AND INFLAMMATION OF THE VULVA, ETC. 685 



Buhl found the uterus of a young pregnant cow completely torn away 

 from the vagina, and adherent to the rectum, between which and the 

 displaced uterus a communication existed ; faeces had entered the uterus, 

 whilst the bones of the foetus were almost completely exposed by destruc- 

 tion of the soft parts ; some had penetrated into the rectum. 



Hess saw a similar case : a three year old cow which had been covered 

 in February, did not calve by November, and was therefore fattened ; 

 in the following spring, on its being slaughtered, the neck of the uterus 

 was found to have been ruptured, and to have again united in a globular 

 form. The uterus containing the calf lay in the left lower flank, suspended 

 by the broad uterine ligament. It was 20 inches in length, and weighed 

 nearly 40 pounds. The skin already showed growth of hair, and the two 

 nipping teeth were distinctly developed ; the foetus, when separated from 

 the uterus, was therefore about eight months old. Hess thought that 

 torsion of the uterus was responsible for the rupture. 



The principles laid down for wounds of the vagina apply equally 

 to the prognosis and treatment of uterine injuries. As long as the 

 cervix uteri remains closed to infection, injuries like ruptures of 

 the uterus seldom produce grave results. Certainly they are 

 sometimes followed by abdominal pregnancy and death during 

 parturition, while extensive ruptures may also take a fatal course 

 in consequence of excessive bleeding. It is quite otherwise in 

 injuries occurring during parturition. Even slight wounds of the 

 uterus then become grave ; and in mares, perforating wounds almost 

 always prove fatal. 



The gravity of injuries to the prolapsed uterus is determined by 

 their extent and character, and the degree of general disturbance. 

 When colic, fever, and continuous severe straining exist, and when 

 in carnivora vomiting occurs, little can be done, though even such 

 cases should not be abandoned. 



The prolapsed part should be carefully cleansed, bleeding checked 

 as far as possible, any remaining after-birth removed, wounds sutured, 

 and the organ then replaced. (See " Prolapse of the Uterus.") 



Inflammation of the vagina or uterus most frequently follows 

 parturition, and is described in works on obstetrics. Certain forms 

 of purulent inflammation occur, however, in non-pregnant animals, 

 especially soon after coitus, and in young cattle, and are apt to take 

 a chronic course. Such conditions have repeatedly been described 

 by English veterinarians. Recovery is stated rapidly to follow 

 washing out the vagina and uterus with carbolic solution or other 

 antiseptic fluid. In bitches fatal septic inflammation of the uterus 

 is not infrequent immediately after parturition, and even when 

 animals have not been pregnant. 



Cases of contagious vaginitis in cattle and sheep have often been de- 

 scribed in Germany. Martens found the disease throughout a certain district, 



