Laceration and Rupture of the Vagina 215 



penis which would have been dangerous with heavy draft 

 mares, while in his neighborhood most animals were of small 

 roadster or common stock. 



When such injuries occur, there is observed an abnormal 

 amount of straining immediately after copulation, with, per- 

 haps, some discharge of blood from the vulva. Later, swell- 

 ing of the vulva and a muco-purulent discharge may occur. 



If the wound penetrates the peritoneal cavity, septic peri- 

 tonitis is highly probable, with early collapse and death. 



Injuries to the mare from this cause should be obviated 

 by means of a roll or padded surcingle encircling the body 

 of the stallion and passing just in front of the sheath in a 

 manner to prevent the penis from entering the vagina to its 

 full length, the pad or roll being adjusted in size according 

 to the case. The diameter of the roll should always be ample, 

 since little fear need be entertained that preventing the en- 

 trance of the entire length of the penis will unfavorably af- 

 fect the results of copulation, as general observations show 

 to the contrary. In constructing this roll or pad, an ordi- 

 nary surcingle may be used and a tube made of sheeting or 

 other sufficiently strong material, open at each end, which is 

 slipped over the surcingle. Padding of cotton, oakum, or 

 other material is then to be inserted into the tubular cover- 

 ing until it is tightly filled so that it presents a diameter of 

 4 to 8 inches in that part of the surcingle to come in contact 

 with the abdominal floor, after which the open ends of the 

 tube are to be secured to the surcingle and closed by tying. 

 When the stallion is ready for service, the surcingle is passed 

 around his body just in front of the opening of the sheath, 

 and secured by buckling. In copulation, only that portion of 

 the penis projecting beyond the roll can enter the vagina. 



Non-fatal laceration of the vagina should be handled 

 along general antiseptic lines. The practitioner should re- 

 member that this organ reacts strongly to irritants and that 

 thorough disinfection should be brought about largely by 

 mechanical flushing rather than by heroic attempts to de- 

 stroy the micro-organisms in position. , 

 Coital injuries to the vaginae of cows have not come un- 



