Diseases of the Generative System. 2 1 3 



urinate. When the disease accompanies parturition, or 

 sets in soon after, the secretion of milk is usually absent, 

 and the disease is likely to be associated with peritonitis. 



Treatment. — The comfort of the patient must, be 

 ensured on every hand. The hot spongio-piline 

 poultice is indispensable as long as the acute symptoms 

 remain. Opium (one to three grains) is required to subdue 

 the pain, with which extract of gentian should be com- 

 bined, or a few drops of the aromatic spirit of ammonia 

 may be added when the animal is prostrate. The dis- 

 charge from the womb, &c., may be promoted by warm 

 enemas, containing ten to twenty grains of boracic acid, 

 administered with great care, particularly if the swelling 

 of the passage is great. 



Dropsy of the Womb, technically known as Hydrops 

 Uteri, and Hydrornetra, is often associated with indi- 

 gestion and a state of obesity, especially in old animals 

 which have bred largely, and indicate suppression or 

 irregularity of the oestrum. 



Symptoms. — Gradual enlargement of the abdomen, 

 which may be mistaken for pregnancy, but is distin- 

 guished by the elastic, yielding sensation instead of the 

 hard masses which the foetal bodies present to the 

 hands. Somewhat later the abdomen, in addition to 

 further enlargement, becomes pendulous and heavy ; the 

 animal is excessively thirsty, feverish, and the appetite 

 is very poor or absent ; weakness and emaciation pro- 

 ceed, and at length she dies from exhaustion, when the 

 womb is discovered to be charged with fluid, sometimes 

 mere serum, or at others white and thick, from the 

 admixture of cells derived from the lining membrane of 

 the organ. 



Treatmeyit should be instituted early. When it is 

 decided the fluid is the cause of the distension, it should* 

 be drawn ofl" by means of the catheter passed through 

 the contracted mouth of the womb, followed by regular 

 washings with a solution of chloride of zinc (three grains 

 to the ounce of water), the strength being supported by 

 the regular administration of tonics, as iron, with 

 gentian. 



