180 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



suffice, one vertical and the other two slightly oblique, but all 

 three must start from one point. This would require a strictly 

 antiseptic after treatment to prevent puerperal infection. In 

 most cases the vulva tears when traction is excessive and the 

 opening too small. Thus the upper commissure and the skin 

 of the labia) is often torn when the limit of elasticity has been 

 trespassed upon. 



Faulty conformations of the vagina may interfere with the 

 passage of the foetus. These are mostly the so-called fleshy 

 bands or pillars which are simply incised (Harms, Kruijt). 



Schiellerup describes a case, under the title of " Septa in 

 the Vagina," in a cow, consisting of a cord two fingers thick 

 extending from one vaginal wall to the other, interfering with 

 parturition. Head and neck were lying above the fore legs 

 below this cord. After the cord was cut birth took place. 

 In another case reported by him such a cord retarded the ex- 

 pulsion of the foetal membranes. Parturition had been diffi- 

 cult; the foetal membranes were wrapped around the fibrous 

 cord. 



Vaginal tumors occasionally give rise to dystokia. Pedun- 

 culated leiomyomata, which can be removed in the ordinary 

 manner, are most frequently met with. A diffuse infiltration of 

 the vaginal walls by tumors is rarely observed. Pedunculated 

 polypi, often attached to the os uteri, float in the vagina. They 

 may be of considerable dimensions, as large as a child's head. 

 Their removal does not result in serious hemorrhage (Lodoli- 

 Tersite, Volker). 



In consequence of a traumatic vaginitis, colpitis, lraumalica % 

 following a previous dystokia, or, as occasionally seen in prim- 

 iparaa, cicatricial tissue results, causing vaginal stenosis. In 

 either case subsequent conception is possible and complete 

 recovery appears to have taken place. Nevertheless, subse- 

 quent parturition shows that the elasticity of the vagina has 

 been greatly diminished by previous deep inflammatory pro- 

 cesses, and that the passage of the calf is rendered difficult. In 

 all cases where the measures mentioned under " rigidity of the 

 vagina" fail, total or partial embryotomy must be practiced. 



