Eversion of the Vaguia 849 



tion or the entire circumference of the vaginal wall, backward 

 into or through the vulva. According to some authors, the pro- 

 lapse consists chiefly or wholly of a displacement of the upper or 

 lateral walls of the vagina, but this does not always hold true. 

 In many cases the entire circumference of the vagina is pro- 

 lapsed in a way closely analogous to the eversion of the uterus. 

 Occasionally the vaginal prolapse includes also the prolapse of 

 the vaginal portion of the uterus, exposing to view the os uteri 

 externum. 



In other cases \ve have observed in the mare, cow and bitch the 

 displacement of the floor of the vagina upward and backward 

 until it protrudes through and beyond the vulva and carries 

 along with it the urinary bladder, which becomes turned upon 

 its transverse axis so that its fundus is directed upward and 

 backward instead of downward and forward, to constitute vesico- 

 vaginocele. 



Prolapse of the vagina occurs chiefly in rumiflants, and largely 

 because of anatomical peculiarities. The uterus of the cow 

 is more readily pushed backward than that of any other animal, 

 because its broad ligaments are attached more posteriorly, which 

 permit a ready posterior displacement of the vagina. 



Prolapse of the vagina in ruminants is further favored by the 

 fact that the organ is not so closely attached by means of the 

 pelvic connective tissue, and especially by the fact that the 

 prolongations of the peritoneum constituting the vesico-vaginal 

 and recto-vaginal excavations extend more posteriorly in these 

 animals than in others, so that a greater part of the vagina is 

 covered with peritoneum, and it is consequently more free to 

 move in any direction. In addition to these causes, the other 

 essential conditions which tend to determine the prolapse of the 

 organ exist more frequently in ruminants than in other animals. 



Etiology. Various causes have been assigned to account for 

 prolap.se of the vagina. One of the very common and fundamental 

 causes is a relaxation of the parts, which must be attributed 

 partly to the manner in which the animal is kept, very largely 

 to the debilitating influences of long-continued and clo.se con- 

 finement, with high feeding. The disease is far more common 

 in closely-housed dairy cows and in closely- hou.sed ewes than in 

 any other domestic animals. 

 54 



