3o6 



749. Obstructions in the Vagina.— False Membranes and 

 Cords are often formed in the vagina by a doubling of the lining 

 membrane. They may run from side to side, or from roof to floor, 

 and before parturition can take place they have to be cut with a knife, 

 or broken down with the fingers. They usually cause some pain, the 

 animal getting up and lying down as if m colic ; but, as a rule, no 

 constitutional disturbance results. Long-necked Tumours are not 

 infrequently found in the passage ; these have to be either twisted or 

 cut off. Abscesses are also sometimes formed in the waUs of the 

 vagina, generally in the lower part, between the floor of the passage 

 and the roof of the bladder, but they are also found in the sides or in 

 the roof. They may result from bruises caused during parturition, 

 especially in breech presentations, cr from injuries done by mischievous 

 boys pushing sticks up the passage. The most prominent symptom is 

 continual straining. An examination must be made and the abscess 

 opened, as described under abscess in the bladder (par. 719) ; but this 

 should only be done by the expert practitioner. 



750. Protrusion of the Vagina.— The vagina is frequently found 

 protruding or everted to the extent of eight or ten inches. This is most 

 often seen in cattle that have been on board ship, and it is sometimes 

 very troublesome in summer weather when they are out at grass, for if 

 it happens once, it has a tendency to recur about every three weeks. If 

 the vagina remains out too long it becomes swollen and congested, and 

 before it can be returned, it has to be pricked in several places with a 

 lancet, and the congested fluid pressed out ; it should then be anointed 

 with carbolic oil, returned, and kept m its place by stitches of leather or 

 tape, put through the skin close to the rump bone with a packing needle, 

 and carried across to the other side, but on no account must the stitches 

 be put through the lips of the vulva. Aged cows that have had a number 

 of calves are very subject to this protrusion, it being usually noticed five 

 or six weeks before calving, but only while the animal is lying down, as 

 it recedes on rising. The best preventive of this is to heighten the 

 the floor behind the animals with firm green turf, which, by raising 

 the hind-quarters, mechanically prevents the protrusion. As a rule it 

 is rarely seen after calving. 



