560 GENITAL APPARATUS. 



It is usually possible to distinguish the condition from disease of the 

 kidney, bladder, or pelvic lymphatic glands. 



Treatment. The only possible treatment is removal of the dis- 

 eased ovary and of the ovarian tumour, but much depends on circum- 

 stances. If a large tumour has formed extensive adhesions, ablation 

 may be impracticable or so dangerous that under the circumstances 

 in which veterinary practitioners are forced to operate it cannot be 

 undertaken. If, on the contrary, the ovarian growth is free and 

 pedunculated, even though of large size, extirpation is possible. 



The method is exactly similar to that of castration of the cow, 

 and follows the same rules, but the vaginal incision has to be much 

 longer, so as to allow the entire hand to be passed as far as the 

 tumour. The pedicle is divided by means of the ecraseur, which 

 should be w^orked very slowly. In removing very large tumours, 

 however, it is possible to operate from the flank. 



GENITAL MALFORMATIONS. 



IMPERFORATE VAGINA. 



Many forms of genital malformation occur, but only those which 

 produce sterility are pathologically important. 



One alone causes very marked disturbance, viz., imperforate vagina. 

 This condition may be accidental or acquired, and may follow either 

 difficult parturition, -with circular lesions of the vagina, or burns or 

 cauterisation of the vagina, followed by adhesion of its walls. 



It is generally of congenital origin, and the obstruction as a 

 rule is in the region of the hymen, as a consequence of some 

 anomaly in development, and not of abnormal development of the 

 hymen itself. 



This imperforate condition of the vagina is not attended by grave 

 consequences during early life ; but later, when the generative func- 

 tions become active, all the products of secretion of the uterine and 

 vaginal mucous membranes accumulate in the closed cavity, giving 

 rise first to muco-metritis, then to muco-kolpitis, similar in its develop- 

 ment to the haemato-kolpitis of young girls. The uterus gradually 

 becomes distended with liquid, the neck is dilated, and a portion of 

 the vagina may attain enormous dimensions, so much so as to suggest 

 pregnancy. 



Symptoms. The symptoms become appreciable only after a time 

 — about one year or fifteen months in heifers — and they seem to be asso- 

 ciated with the appearance of oestrum. The animals make continued 

 expulsive efforts, which when the genital canal is much distended may 

 become extremely violent. There is also dysuria as a consequence of 



