306 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



wounds — even small ones — are so dangerous when an emphy- 

 sematous foetus or decomposing secundines are present ; simply 

 because the protecting granulation tissue is wanting. 



Penetrating vaginal wounds in the upper wall, 13 cm. or 

 more away from the superior commissure, or when in the 

 lower wall in front of the urethral opening, are judged less 

 favorably. In either case they involve the peritoneum. Exper- 

 ience teaches that wounds without eventration, and even 

 wounds where a portion of the mesentery lies in the vagina, 

 may heal with proper treatment, but the prognosis must be 

 guarded on account of an eventual infection. 



Treatment. — Of primary importance is the prevention of 

 infection, and further to hasten the process of involution. The 

 secundines must be removed when still in the uterus. Smaller 

 wounds are treated locally and antiseptically. Whenever pos- 

 sible, penetrating wounds of the upper wall are sutured. In 

 eventration of the mesentery the same treatment is pursued as 

 suggested under wounds of the cervix. 



When a prolapsus vesicae is present and the distended 

 bladder lies in the vagina, it must be punctured with a trocar 

 and emptied, followed by its reposition and stitching of the 

 vaginal wound. Wounds which extend into the rectum may 

 cause a recto-vaginal fistula. With regard to it, I refer to 

 special surgery. In case a foetus has been wedged in the 

 vagina for some time, the walls of this canal may be exposed to 

 such pressure that the circulation, and in consequence of it 

 nutrition, is disturbed. 



This is observed in cases where the anterior extremities of 

 the calf are born and where an attempt was made to extract 

 the hind parts forcibly. When parturition is completed by 

 partial embryotomy, more or less necrosis of the mucous 

 membrane of the vagina, the result of the pressure, manifests 

 itself within a few days. We observe gangrene, decubitus of 

 the vaginal wall. A phenomenon preceding the expulsion of 

 the necrotic mucosa, is the swelling of the vagina and vulva, 

 interfering with micturition, urine being evacuated frequently 

 and in small amounts. 



