DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 187 



BIX)OD CLOTS TX TME V.'ALLS OF THE VAGIXA. 



{See "Effusion oi" blood in the vaginal walls,*' p, 169.) 



INFLAMMATION OF THE V.'OMB AXD PETilTOXEUM, 



These may result from injuries sustained by the womb during or 

 after parturition, from exposure to cold or wet, or from the irntant 

 infective action of putrid products within the womb. Under the 

 inflammation the womb remains dilated and flaccid, and decomposition 

 of its secretions almost always occurs, so that the inflammation tends 

 to assume a putrid character and general septic infection is likely to 

 occur. 



Symjytoms. — The symptoms are ushered in by shivering, staring 

 coat, small rapid pulse, elevated temperature, accelerated breathing, 

 inappetence, with arched back, stiff movement of the bod}', looking 

 back at the flanks, and uneasy motions of the hind limbs, discharge 

 from the vulva of a liquid at first water}', reddish, or 3'ellowish, and 

 later it may be whitish or glairy, and fetid or not in different cases. 

 Tenderness of the abdomen shown on pressure is especialh^ ciiaracter- 

 istic of cases affecting the peritoneum or lining of the bellv, and is 

 more marked lower down. If the animal survives, the iuflamination 

 tends to become chronic and attended hx a whitish muco-puruient 

 discharge. If, on the contrary, it proves fatal, death is preceded by 

 extreme prostration and weakr.ess from the general septic poisoning. 



Treatment. — In treatment the first thing to be sought is the remo^'al 

 of all offensive and irritant matters from the womb through a caout- 

 chouc tube introduced into tlie womb, and into which a funnel is fitted. 

 "Warm water should be passed until it comes away clear. To insure 

 that all of the womb has l>een washed out, the oiled hand may be intro- 

 duced to carry the end of the tube into the two horns successively. 

 When the offensive contents have been thus removed, the womb should 

 be injected with a quart of water holding in solution 1 dram per- 

 manganate of potash, or, in the absence of the latter, 2 teaspoonfuls 

 of carbolic acid. Kepeat twice daily. Fomentation of the abdomen, 

 or the application of a warm flaxseed poultice, ma}' greatly relieve. 

 Acetanilid, in doses of half an ounce, repeated twice or thrice a day, 

 or sulphate of quinia in doses of one-third ounce, may be employed to 

 reduce the fever. If the great prostration indicates septic poisoning 

 large doses (one-half ounce) bisulphite of soda, or salicylate of soda, 

 or sulphate of quinine may be resorted to. 



LEUCOERHEA. 



This is a white, glutinous, chronic discharge, the result of a contin- 

 ued subacute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the womb. 

 Like the discharge of acute inflammation it contains many forms of 



