636 ACCIDENTS INCIDENTAL TO PARTURITION. 



bupont [Rec. de Med. Veterinaire, 1858, p. 1057) examijied a fine, well-bred, four-year- 

 old Cow, which was in good condition. The animal emitted a very penetrating acid 

 odor, which extended to some distance around it. The tail was entirely denuded of 

 hair ; a vast ulcer occupied all the posterior regions, from the inferior commissure of 

 the vulva down to the claws of the hind feet. After washing the parts well with chlori- 

 nated water, the hand was passed into the vagina, and a large wound was discovered in 

 the middle of the lower and posterior part of that canal, but it was partly concealed by 

 large, ragged, and irregular vegetations. Pus, thick and plastic secretions, and a thin 

 layer of salts, gave to the touch the sensation of a calcareous powder occupying the bot- 

 tom of the wound, which was bathed by a permanent " sweating " of urine. When this 

 part of the vagina had been well cleansed, it was observed that there was a considerable 

 loss of substance, and that about three inches of the ischial symphysis was denuded. 

 The irregular borders of what remained of the vagina, stood nearly an inch above the 

 bony surface ; great movable, and spongy granulations partly covered the symphysis, 

 and appeared to be the seat of an abundant suppuration. Beyond this the retracted 

 bladder could be felt. The vaginal mucous membrane was of a bright-red color, and the 

 whole of its inferior surface was ulcerated. The place where the hind-feet of the animal 

 had stood during the few minutes' exploration was saturated with urine. 



No information as to the date or origin of the lesion could be procured. 



SECTION III. THROMBUS OF THE VAGINA AND VULVA. 



Thrombus or hcematoma of the vagina and vulva is sometimes observed 

 after parturition, and is due to an infiltration of blood into the connective 

 tissue of these parts, from the almost inevitable injury they sustain during 

 laborious parturition. 



In such cases, when the foetus is very large, or in a wrong position, 

 considerable manipulation and traction are often necessary to adjust and 

 remove it ; and this leads to bruising of the soft parts against the pelvis, 

 ana laceration and rupture of the blood-vessels and connective tissue. 

 The blood-vessels are larger, and probably more numerous, during preg- 

 nancy than at other times ; consequently, there results extravasation of 

 blood, and considerable tumefaction of the genital canal, particularly in 

 the vagina and vulva. Sometimes this tumefaction appears during par- 

 turition, when it may form an obstacle to birth. 



The mucous membrane is raised into irregular masses, perceptible to 

 the eye, and still more marked to the touch. The membrane itself has a 

 blue, violet, or black tint ; the labia of the vulva are considerably swollen, 

 and the engorgement may extend to the thighs and croup. 



If there is not much extravasation, the eflfused blood may be absorbed 

 in a few days \ but if the thrombus is extensive, the blood becomes de- 

 composed, gives rise to inflammation, may run on to gangrene, and septic 

 infection may consequently ensue. 



As to treatment, scarifications are above all things to be recommended. 



wSamson, who has had much experience of such cases, says that the labia 

 of the vulva should be well separated, and a bistour}'- plunged into the 

 right and left walls of the vagina, as if to open an abscess, and the incis- 

 ion should be large, in proportion to the quantity and situation of the 

 clots ; pressure must then be made, so as to remove the latter. 



The operation appears to be quite innocuous ; though a case is re- 

 corded by Cartvvright ( Veteritiarian, vol. xix., p. 386) in which a great 

 stream of blood issued from one of the punctures, in consequence of a 

 large vein being wounded. 



When all the extravasated blood has been removed from beneath the 

 mucous membrane or skin, cold water injections and sponging, and weak 

 solutions of carbolic acid, permanganate of potash, or other detersive and 

 disinfecting fluids, should be resorted to. The same treatment is to be 



