DOUGLASS' POUCH CYST 115 



been made with the curette the removal can be com- 

 pleted with the finger. 



Immediately the mass has been removed the cow 

 urinates normally and begins to eat. All signs of 

 acute pain disappear instantly, although the cow may 

 strain slightly for some time. A few small doses of 

 fluid extract of stramonium suffice to overcome the lat- 

 ter. Stramonium seems to have a selective action on 

 the parts responsible for symptoms referable to ves- 

 ical irritation. 



DOUGLASS' POUCH CYST 



Cyst formation in the loose tissues between the 

 rectum and vagina is a pathological condition which 

 occurs chiefly in young cows and heifers. Unless the 

 veterinarian is a close observer and makes it a rule to 

 include a rectal examination in his diagnostic efforts, 

 especially in cases pointing towards bowel trouble, he 

 frequently fails to recognize the exact manifestations 

 of this condition. A superficial system of diagnosis 

 usually confuses the symptoms of a cyst in the pouch 

 of Douglass with colic. 



A cyst in this region may attain enormous dimen- 

 sions, containing on occasions a gallon of fluid. No 

 symptoms are produced, however, until the cyst has 

 assumed such size that it mechanically interferes with 

 defecation or micturition. 



When this stage has been reached the veterinarian 

 is usually called in, and he finds the animal present- 

 ing some symptoms of an ordinary colic. There are 

 some points of differentiation, however. The chief 

 one is that the cow keeps her tail raised almost con- 

 stantly, and repeatedly strains, apparently in attempts 

 at defecation. No feces are passed, however, and if 



