694 TUMOURS OF THE VAGINA AND UTERUS. 



of the ligature be feared, or further tightening become necessary, 

 amputation may be postponed till next day. In such cases care must 

 be taken that the weight of the uterus does not cause it to tear away, 

 a complication that may cause much difficulty. Hering recommends, 

 where the animal is able to stand, to lay the prolapsed parts on its 

 quarter. Without question, however, it is better to remove them 

 at once, if for no other reason than the fact that this allows of 

 reposition of the vagina. To remove inflammatory products from 

 the ligatured stump, the vagina must be repeatedly washed out 

 during the following days. If swelling is severe, it may be necessary 

 to pass the catheter. Should further prolapse of the vagina result 

 from severe straining, either the truss, or West's clamp may be 

 applied, or a few stitches inserted across the vulva. The operation 

 is not without danger ; loops of bowel may protrude, and cows often 

 show great nervous excitement for some time after operation. 



In bitches, the uterus has repeatedly been amputated with success. 

 In them also the displacement of the pregnant uterus, in inguinal 

 hernia, may render the operation necessary. Antisepsis must, as 

 far as possible, be practised. 



In small animals, and especially in goats, prolapse of the uterus 

 has been reduced by injecting water. The animal's hind-legs are 

 held up, the smaller horn of the uterus reduced and filled with 

 lukewarm water. The weight of the water carries back the horn 

 of the uterus to its normal position. After the second horn has been 

 replaced by the same method (though great difficulty is often met 

 with here), the uterus is also filled with water, and after replacement, 

 the fluid is allowed to escape by placing the animal in the horizontal 

 position. The lips of the vulva are closed with a loose button suture 

 left in position for three days. 



IV.- TUMOURS OF THE VAGINA AND UTERUS. 



As a rule, tumours in these organs are commoner in the human 

 species than in animals. Fibromata in particular seldom attain 

 the extensive development here which they do in the human subject, 

 though fibromata, carcinomata, sarcomata, and especially retention 

 cysts have repeatedly been seen in the vagina of cows. Such tumours 

 also occur in bitches (fibromyomata), but are rare in other animals. 



In bitches, partial prolapse of the upper wall of the vagina sometimes 

 occurs, attended with severe swelling in the prolapsed part, and is 

 generally regarded, and even treated, as a fibrous new growth. A pale 

 red ovoid swelling suddenly appears in the vulva, generally attains the 



