INJURIES OF THE UTERUS, VAGINA AND VULVA 305 



Wounds in front of the opening of the urethra and extend- 

 ing into the excavatio may cause dislocation (prolapsus) of the 

 bladder, which protrudes and lies in the vagina. The neck of 

 the bladder is stretched and micturition rendered difficult. As 

 a consequence the urine accumulates, this dislocation shortly 

 leading to rupture of the bladder. 



Wounds in the ujjper wall may involve the rectum, and feces 

 drop through the opening into the vagina. These wounds are 

 usually close to the upper commissure of the vulva. 



When the vaginal wound becomes infected, either by direct 

 inoculation, as is the case in emphysematous foetuses, or infec- 

 tion takes place later through decomposing uterine secretion, 

 other phenomena offer themselves. 



Under those circumstances a diffuse swelling of the labige 

 is first noticed. It usually sets in at the third or fourth day 

 and is not only limited to the vulva but also to the submucosa 

 of the vestibule and vagina. The vagina is swollen so that the 

 hand is passed in with difficulty. The examination is very 

 painful to the animal ; a great increase in temperature is plainly 

 felt. A dark-colored, stinking fluid flows, as a result of the 

 swelling, from the vulva. Micturition is difficult, the urine being 

 discharged frequently and in small quantities. The swelling 

 about the rectum may mechanically interfere with defecation. 



At first the general health is but little disturbed. As 

 infection progresses, high temperature, increase in respiration 

 and pulse rate set in, appetite and rumination diminish, the 

 lacteal secretion is limited. 



Course and Prognosis.— The course of superficial wounds of 

 the uterus is favorable, provided involution of the uterus is 

 normal. At the same time vaginal wounds occasionally ter- 

 minate favorably in spite of a decomposing afterbirth, due to 



the fact that the wound was filled with granulation tissue an 



excellent protection — at the time infection might have taken 

 place. 



It is further observed that putrefactive bacteria need not 

 necessarily always infect a wound ; nevertheless, they prepare 

 the medium for streptococci. This explains why vaginal 



