650 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



or abscesses should be laid open freely and the parts disin- 

 fected. 



8. The Infections of the Vulva 



The vulva is the most prominent area involved in the vesi- 

 cular, and in the nodular venereal diseases, as has been noted 

 already in Chapter XII. The vulva also participates in a 

 general way in parturient abrasions of the vagina and the 

 consequent infections, which run a similar course and call 

 for similar handling. The vulva now and then undergoes 

 gangrene, especially following neglected dystocia, when the 

 organ has been subjected to long-continued pressure and 

 contusion from the fetus. Then follows at times cicatricial 

 contractions rendering coitus and parturition difficult or 

 impossible. 



In some portions of the Mississippi Valley at one time an 

 infectious ano-vulvitis of cattle prevailed, not associated 

 with reproduction. It consisted of a necrotic inflammation 

 of the anus of the male and of the anus and vulva of the 

 female. The mortality was high and in non-fatal cases im- 

 portant deformity of the body openings resulted. 



The exact cause of the disease was not clearly determined. 

 It was referred generally to an invasion by the bacillus ne- 

 crophorus, which apparently serves as a general designation 

 for necrotic diseases occurring in various parts of the body 

 in different species of animals, but not, so far as known, 

 transmissible from one species to another. 



The ano-vulvitis of cattle, which occurs as an enzootic, is 

 of chief interest in connection with its general results rather 

 than in connection with reproduction. The disease ordina- 

 rily arises without a known injury to the parts, as a necro- 

 tic area about the anus or vulva. The necrosis is progres- 

 sive, the parts become swollen and indurated, and the sur- 

 face undergoes extensive, canker-like necrosis, with the 

 formation of fetid pus. 



The handling has not been placed upon a definite basis as 

 a specific disease, but reliance has been placed upon the gen- 

 eral principles of surgery — the destruction or ablation of 

 incurable tissues, the disinfection of the involved areas, and 

 the isolation of infected animals. 



