4 i2 VETERINARY LECTURES 



the pelvic cavity. It is sac-shaped, and made up of a body with 

 two horns, and a neck, with an opening known as the OS uteri 

 (Plate XLL, B 4). It has three coats — viz., (i) external — serous; 

 (2) middle — muscular ; (3) internal — mucous. The middle or muscular 

 coat is made up of several sets of fibres, which, by their contractions, 

 assist in expelling the foetus at the time of birth. 



711. The Vagina, or Passage (Plate XLL, B 6), is composed 

 of two layers, an outer consisting of muscular and connective tissue, 

 and an inner of mucous membrane, the latter being arranged in 

 folds, thus enabling the passage to dilate during parturition. 



712. The Vulva, or external part, made up of two lips, is situated 

 immediately below the anus, and is that portion of the female 

 generative system presented to view. About 4 inches from the 

 outside on the floor is the opening of the urethra (meatus urinarius— 

 Plate XLL, B 7) or duct from the bladder. In the virgin animal, 

 a corrugated fold or doubling of the mucous membrane is found — 

 the hymen. 



URINARY DISEASES. 



713. Nephritis— Inflammation of the Kidneys.— This occurs 

 in three forms — viz., acute, subacute, and chronic; and generally the 

 two last-named forms are most often seen, though it is a rather 

 uncommon disease in the domestic animals. 



714. Symptoms. — At the onset of the acute form in the horse 

 the symptoms very much resemble those of colic, or inflammation 

 of the bowels, only the pain is not nearly so violent ; the animal 

 frequently lies down and gets up again, perspires freely, and breathes 

 hurriedly ; there is a quick pulse, and a great rise of temperature ; 

 when lying, the patient attempts to put its nose on to its loins, while, 

 if standing, it constantly stretches into a position to urinate, and 

 small quantities of urine, very highly coloured and occasionally 

 tinged with blood, are passed. I have seen cases where the urine, 

 when collected in a vessel and allowed to stand for a time, coagu- 

 lated. In the subacute and chronic stages very little pain is 

 manifested, but the animal is very dull, has a tucked-up belly, 





