158 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



.surface of the womb by an umbilical cord, which is itself often shriv- 

 eled and wasted. They arc usually accompanied b}' a Avell-developed 

 fetus, so that the mole may be looked upon as a twin which has under- 

 gone arrest and vitiation of development. They are expelled by the 

 ordinar}^ process of parturition, and usually at the same time with the 

 normally de^'eloped offspring. 



CYSTIC DISEASE OF THE WALLS OF THE WOMB, OR VESICLT.AR MOLE. 



This condition appears to be due to hypertrophy (enlargement) of 

 the villi on the inner surface of the Avomb, which become greatly 

 increased in number and hollowed out internally into a series of cysts, 

 or pouches, containing liquid. Unlike the true mole, therefore, they 

 appear to be disease of the maternal structure of the womb rather 

 than of the product of conception. Rodet, in a case of this kind, 

 which had produced active labor pains, quieted the disorder with ano- 

 dynes and secured a recovery. Where this is not available attempts 

 mu}^ be made to remove the mass with the ecraseur or otherwise, fol- 

 lowing this up with antiseptic injections, as advised under the last 

 heading. 



DROPSY OF THE WOMC. 



This appears as a result of some disease of the walls of the womb, 

 but has been frequeutlj'' observed as the result of infection after sex- 

 ual congress, and has, therefore, been confounded with pregnancy. 

 The symptoms are those of pregnancy, but without any movements of 

 the fetus and without the detection of an}' solid body in the womb 

 when examined with the oiled hand in the rectum. At the end of four 

 or eightmonths there arc signs of parturition or of frequent straining to 

 pass urine, and after a time the liquid is discharged clear and watery, 

 or muddy, thick, and fetid. The hand introduced into the womb can 

 detect neither fetus nor fetal membrane. If the neck of the womb 

 closes the liquid may accumulate a second time, or even a third, if no 

 means are taken to disinfect it or to correct the tendency. The best 

 resort is to remove any diseased product that ma}' bo found attached 

 to the walls of the womb, and to inject it daily with a warm solution 

 of carbolic acid 2 drams, chloride of zinc one-half dram, water 1 quart. 

 A course of bitter tonics, gentian 2 drams, sulphate of iron 2 drams, 

 daily, should be given, and a nutritious, easily digested, and slightly 

 laxative diet allowed. 



DROPSY OF THE AMNION. 



This differs from simple drops}^ of the womb in that the fluid collects 

 in the inner of the two water bags (that in which the foal floats) and 

 not in the otherwise void cavity of the womb. This affection can occur 

 onl}' in the pregnant animal, while dropsy of the womb occurs in the 



