696 



TUMOURS OF THE VAGINA AND UTERUS. 



They frequently produce bleeding or chronic discharge from the 

 vagina, which, in the case of ulcerating new growths, assumes a purulent 

 character. The cysts which occur in cows sometimes protrude from 

 the vulva, appearing as bladders about the size of a hen's egg, and 

 containing clear or turbid fluid. 



Fig. 444. — Simple vaginal speculum. 



Tumours of the uterus are seldom recognised until they produce 

 difficulty in parturition ; they often render animals barren. In 

 the larger animals they can be discovered by rectal examination. 

 Tuberculosis sometimes produces great increase in size, either in 

 one horn or in large tracts of the uterus. The Fallopian tubes then 

 appear like hard cords as thick as a man's finger, arranged in curves, 



Fig. 445. — Expanding vaginal speculum (closed). 



and there is usually a muco-purulent vaginal discharge mixed with 

 masses of firmer consistence and containing tubercle bacilli. 



Prognosis depends chiefly on whether the growth can be entirely 

 removed. This is, of course, easier in vaginal than in uterine 

 tumours. In pregnant animals uterine tumours become much more 

 dangerous ; and those which produce severe straining, and thus 

 favour prolapse, are particularly troublesome. Vascular tumours 

 may cause death by bleeding. 



