250 Veten'tiary Obstetrics 



important maladies in reference to sterility. The prognosis in 

 these cases depends upon the promptness and efficiency of the 

 handling, questions which are fully discussed in the chapters 

 already mentioned. 



4. KniCMA OF THE UTERINE WaLLS. 



In very rare instances, edema of the uterine walls has been 

 recorded, the edematous enlargement being so great as to simu- 

 late pregnancy. Necessarily, it induces sterility and, so far as 

 known, the condition is incurable. 



5. Tumors of the Uterus, Vulva, Vagina and of the 

 Broad Ligaments. 



Tumors involving the uterus of the domestic animals are not 

 .at all common and play no very important role in the question 

 of sterility. Zschokke claims that the most common tumors af- 

 fecting the uterus of the cow are fibroma and lipoma. 



Tumors of the vagina and vulva are more common than those 

 of the uterus. Perhaps the most common place for the occur- 

 rence of benign tumors is on the line of demarcation between 

 the vulva and vagina, that is, at the site of the hymen. They 

 usually originate from the mucous membrane and, when located 

 in the vagina and vulva, tend to assume the polypoid form and 

 may vary in color according to their vascularity. The fatty 

 tumors arise in the pelvic connective tissues and press upon the 

 vagina in a manner to more or less narrow it. 



Occasionally we meet; with enlargements along the floor and 

 sides of the vagina, due to a collection of secretions in Gartner's 

 canals. These present themselves as elongated, fluctuating 

 tumors, which begin near the meatus urinarius and extend, in a 

 divergent manner, obliquely forward and upward along the sides 

 of the vagina. These retention cysts are easily diagnosed. 

 When very large, they cau.se some narrowing of the vagina and 

 may interfere with coition or parturition. 



Tumors of the vulva and vagina which have pedicles are easily 

 and quickly removed with the ecraseur. When the tumors are 

 sessile, it is neces.sary to use the scalpel or scissors for their re- 

 moval. These operations should be carried out under strict an- 

 tiseptic precautions and, so far as po.ssible, perforation of the 

 peritoneal cavity should be avoided. If proper aseptic care has 



