812 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



The veterinary obstetrist should always anticipate vagi- 

 nitis in cases of dystocia, retained fetal membranes, metri- 

 tis, and other diseases of, or injuries to these parts. If se- 

 vere parturient vaginal abrasions are present, every possi- 

 ble detail of cleanliness and asepsis should be applied as pre- 

 ventive measures, such as frequent douches with physiologic 

 salt solution, a very weak Dakin's solution, or some one of 

 the approximate substitutes for it. One may apply in con- 

 junction with these, or alone, one of the bland oils holding in 

 suspension iodoform or other non-irritant antiseptic. Medi- 

 cated suppositories of beeswax or soft paraffin may also be 

 used with advantage. 



6. Cystitis 



Cystitis occurs in mares as an extension of vaginitis or 

 vulvitis along the short and broad urethra. I was called to 

 attend a mare for dystocia after laymen had exhausted their 

 powers. The fetus presented anteriorly, dorso-sacral posi- 

 tion, with both hind feet extended beneath its body into the 

 pelvis. The laymen had bisected the fetus through the chest 

 without preserving a flap and the torso receded far enough 

 that the exposed vertebra and ribs lacerated and contused 

 the vaginal mucosa severely. I removed the torso after a 

 second bisection. Some weeks later I was called again to see 

 the mare and found her suffering from severe vaginitis, vul- 

 vitis and cystitis, The cystitis was the most formidable of 

 the lesions. The meatus was open and the index finger could 

 readily be passed into the cavity of the bladder. The walls 

 of the bladder were thickened and the mucosa was thrown 

 into extensive folds which were covered by crusts of urinary 

 salts, mixed with pus. The purulent urine had a very fetid 

 odor. The cavity of the bladder was small and the thickened 

 walls paretic and inextensible, so that the urine flowed from 

 the bladder involuntarily, producing an intense irritation of 

 the vulva. Dribbling down constantly over the thighs, the 

 urine kept these parts repulsively soiled and excoriated and 

 t he tail wet and filthy. 



The treatment of purulent cystitis consists essentially of 

 the disinfection of the vagina, vulva and bladder. This 

 should be accomplished chiefly by the mechanical removal of 



