898 Veterinary Obstetrics 



she was presented for examination because of frequent colicky 

 pains and expulsive efforts. Upon manual exploration per 

 rectum, the uterus appeared as an immense spherical sac contain- 

 ing 5 or 6 gallons of liquid. Upon introducing the hand into the 

 vagina, the os uteri could not be definitely recognized, and there 

 was no opening extending forward into the uterine cavity. 



The owner hesitated about an operation, and after a few days, 

 upon going to the stable in the morning, he found lying in the 

 stall behind the mare some 5 or 6 gallons of thick and extremelj' 

 fetid pus. 



Handling. The treatment of uterine ab.scess shoud be essen- 

 tially the same as that for other ab.scesses. The abscess cavity 

 should be freely opened, and its contents evacuated, followed by 

 thorough disinfection. The point for opening the abscess is 

 through the occluded os uteri. The opening may be made with 

 a scalpel, or a finger may be thrust through the wall, if not too 

 dense. The opening should be sufficiently dilated that the hand 

 may be passed through into the abscess cavity. The later treat- 

 ment is the same as for chronic metritis. 



The prognosis in uterine abscess should be guarded. The life 

 of the patient may usually be saved. The abscess tends to cause 

 occlusion of the oviducts and consequent sterility. 



4. Vaginitis and Vulvitis. 



Inflammation of the vagina and vulva almost inevitably ac- 

 company acute metritis, because the passage of infected and irri- 

 tant discharges from the uterine cavity must contaminate the mu- 

 cous membrane of these organs in escaping externally. In such 

 cases the vaginitis and vulvitis normally di.sappear when the me- 

 tritis recovers. Aside from this we sometimes meet with inflam- 

 mation of the vagina and vulva without the uterus becoming in- 

 volved. 



Causes. Anything which may cause contusions, lacerations or 

 abrasions of the vaginal and vulvar mucosa tends to cause the dis- 

 ease, if added to this there is favorable opportunity for infection. 

 In dystokia, the manipulations of a careless obstetrist may do 

 much to lacerate and abrade the vagina and bring about infec- 

 tion of the wounds. Laymen and empirics, as well as .some vet- 

 erinarians, frequently use old, dirty cords or ropes, made of very 

 coarse, harsh material, for carrying out obstetric operations. 



