The Vesicular Venereal Disease 279 



are of short duration, either rupture as vesicles or become 

 pustular and rupture, in each case leaving an ulcer. The 

 ulcers, which are one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch 

 or more in diameter, very shallow, and exceedingly angry 

 in appearance, give rise to an abundant muco-purulent dis- 

 charge which, issuing from the vulva, soils the vulvar labiae, 

 the tail, and the adjoining parts. The vesicles and ulcers 

 continue to develop in successive crops for a number of days. 

 The ulcers heal with only a very slight, temporary scar. 

 Much pain is present. The ulcerating mucosa is intensely 

 sensitive. Any attempt at manipulation causes very great 

 resistance. The ulcers bleed freely upon touch. When un- 

 disturbed, the cow is uneasy, as shown chiefly by frequent 

 switching of the tail and more or less stamping of the hind 

 feet. When urination occurs, the urine, coming into con- 

 tact with the highly inflamed ulcers, causes very marked 

 and intense pain. The animal switches her tail violently 

 and stamps the hind feet in rapid succession. Whenever 

 the animal defecates, the mechanical pressure unavoidably 

 causes pain, because of the extreme tenderness of the vulva 

 and vagina. The pain is not as acute as that observed in 

 urination. Whenever the animal moves, the muscles of the 

 limbs which come in close contact with the vulva naturally 

 drag upon the inflamed organ, causing pain, which is re- 

 vealed by a stiffness of gait. 



The infection does not necessarily prevent impregnation. 

 If the cow becomes pregnant, there seems to be no unfavor- 

 able influence upon the life of the embryo. It is stated that 

 in some cases the disease results in chronic catarrh of the 

 vagina. A commoner, and apparently more threatening 

 termination is adhesions between the walls of the vagina, 

 which may cause more or less constriction of that canal. 



In the bull the symptoms of the disease are analogous to 

 those observed in the cow. The mucous membrane of the 

 penis, prepuce and sheath becomes inflamed, swollen and 

 tender. The eruptions in the mucosa of the genital organs 

 are identical with those observed in the cow. The urethra 

 may also become involved, giving rise to a muco-purulent 



