220 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



pass out throug:h the ann.-^. so that that opening and the vulva are 

 laid open into one. 



Simple, superficial lacerations of the vaginal walls are not usually 

 serious, and heal readily unless septic inflammation sets in, in which 

 case the cow is liable to perish. They may be treated with soothing 

 and antiseptic injections, such as carbolic acid, 1 dram; water, 1 

 quart. 



The more serious injuries depend on the complications. Rupture 

 of the anterior part of the canal, close to the mouth of the womb, may 

 lead to the introduction of infecting germs into the cavity of the ab- 

 domen, or protrusion of the bowel through the rent and externally, 

 either of which may prove fatal. If both these conditions are es- 

 caped the wound may heal spontaneously. Rupture into the bladder 

 may lead to nothing worse than a constant dribbling of the urine 

 from the vulva. The cow should be fattened if she survives. Rup- 

 ture into the rectum will entail a constant escape of feces through 

 the vulva, and, of course, the same condition exists when the anus 

 as well has been torn open. I have successfully sewed up an opening 

 of this kind in the mare, but in the case of the cow it is probably 

 better to prepare her for the butcher. 



CLOTS OF BLOOD IN THE WALLS OF THE VAGINA. 



During calving the vagina may be bruised so as to cause escape of 

 blood beneath the mucous membrance and its coagulation into large 

 bulging clots. The vulva may appear swollen, and on separating its 

 lips the mucous membrane of the vagina is seen to be raised into 

 irregular rounded swellings of a dark-blue or black color, and which 

 pit on pressure of the finger. If the accumulation of blood is not 

 extensive it may be reabsorbed, but if abundant it may lead to irri- 

 tation and dangerous inflammation, and should be incised with a 

 lancet and the clots cleared out. The wounds may then be sponged 

 twice a day with a lotion made with 1 dram sulphate of zinc, 1 dram 

 carbolic acid, and 1 quart Avater. 



RETAINED AFTERBIRTH. 



The cow, of all oui domestic animals, is especially subject to this 

 accident. This may be partly accounted for by the firm connections 

 established through the fifty to one hundred cotyledons (PI. XIII, 

 fig. 2) in which the fetal membranes dovetail with the follicles of the 

 womb. It is also most liable to occur after abortion, in which prepa- 

 ration has not been made by fatty degeneration for the severence of 

 these close connections. In the occurrence of inflammation, causing 

 the formation of new tissue between the membranes and the womb, 

 M-e find the occasion of unnaturally firm adhesions which prevent the 

 spontaneous detachment of the membranes. Again, in low conditions 



