6i2 ACCIDENTS INCIDENTAL TO PARTURITION. 



them beyond the vulva, and itself occupies the cavity of the pelvis. 

 During this extrusion, the connective tissue which attaches the vaginal 

 mucous membrane to the pelvis is more or less lacerated ; and it is 

 this laceration which, as Saint-Cyr justly remarks, constitutes, the serious 

 character of the accident, and differentiates it from simple prolapse due 

 to relaxation of the connective tissue, which is of no great moment, but 

 which may precede it. The latter condition is not very rare towards the 

 end of pregnancy, and under certain circumstances it may lead to com- 

 plete inversion, Rainard mentions having seen a Goat which had 

 inversion of the vagina fifteen days before parturition, and to such an 

 extent that the mouth and nostrils of the foetus protruded through the 

 half-open os uteri, so that it could breathe and lick the hand. 



But, as has been said, inversion of the vagina occurs far more frequently 

 after abortion and parturition, though not so often as inversion of the 

 uterus. 



Symptoms. 



Of course, the chief symptom of this accident is the presence of a tumor 

 between the labia of the vulva, and which may hang for some distance 

 below that opening. In this respect it resembles inversion of the uterus, 

 though the difference is otherwise very marked. In the majority of cases 

 the tumor is most voluminous when the animal is lying, and can then be 

 best examined. It is circular in form, varies in size from that of an apple 

 to a large melon, and is not unlike a thick sausage ; the surface is smooth, 

 more or less of a deep red color streaked with darker patches, and covered 

 by a thick white mucus, or a fibrinous exudate ; in other cases it is 

 inflamed, excoriated by the tail or litter, and covered with foreign mat- 

 ters. There are fio traces of cotyledons or placental follicles. On the under 

 surface of the tumor is observed a longitudinal depression, or furrow, 

 which leads to the urethra. At its end is a round opening, into which 

 the finger can be passed as far as the os uteri, which will be found either 

 completely closed or partially open. At the vulva the tumor is narrow, 

 and exhibits longitudinal folds or ridges, due to the constriction caused 

 by the vulva. Passing the finger between the tumor and the vulva, there 

 is found a depression, or cul-de-sac, formed by its direct continuity with 

 the vulvar mucous membrane. In certain cases, the cervix uteri can be 

 seen in the middle of the tumor. Not unfrequently the tumor is not 

 visible when the animal is standing ; though it may show itself when it 

 lies down, riiicturates, defecates, or strains. When, however, the inver- 

 sion has occurred to a considerable extent, or the case is chronic, the 

 tumor often remains external to the vulva. 



There is generally more or less difficulty in micturating, arising from 

 the pressure on the urethra ; and instances are recorded in which extreme 

 distention of the bladder, from retention of urine, had occasioned serious 

 symptoms, and led to paralysis, and even rupture, of that viscus. There 

 may also be more or less straining — indeed, this symptom is nearly always 

 present ; febrile symptoms may likewise be noted in some cases. 



When the mucous membrane has been long exposed to the air it becomes 

 thickened and indurated, from the constant irritation giving rise to effusion 

 and exudation ; it assumes a greyish tint, and is covered with a coriaceous 

 epithelium, which gives it a leathery appearance. 



The local symptoms which we have indicated should sufficiently distin- 

 guish between this accident and the presence of tumors in the genital 



