POLYPI AND PROLAPSUS. 649 



Sometimes there is considerable hardening and thickening of the integument without ulcera- 

 tion : local treatment to such cases may be productive of mischief. 



A course of iodide of potassium often does good in disease of the scrotum, having first 

 put the dog into as good condition as possible by a short course ten days to a fortnight 

 of liquor arsenicalis in his food, and the administration of a quinine bolus. Should the disease 

 make progress, the only thing that can save the dog is the excision by the hands of a 

 skilful vet. of every portion of diseased integument or tissue. Even this operation, however, 

 is not always followed by success. 



The genital organs of the female are subject to disease of different forms, the commonest 

 being various forms of tumours within the vagina. These at times admit of excision, notably 

 the polypus ; this is a hard, semi-solid, smooth, pear-shaped tumour, attached by a pedicle or 

 stalk to the wall of the vagina. The tumour is supplied with blood-vessels, and is often 

 extremely sensitive and tender. The treatment is removal. This must first be attempted by 

 ligature. If possible, pass a strong silk thread round the neck of the tumour, and tie tightly : 

 the polypus will drop off of its own accord in a day or two ; if this cannot be done, the tumour 

 may be seized with a pair of forceps, and twisted several times round, which will cause 

 strangulation of the neck of the tumour and subsequent dropping off; or, thirdly, the tumour 

 may be removed by the wire canula, or torsion may be used, and the tumour twisted off. 

 The after treatment consists in the injection of mildly-stimulating injections, such as alum, 

 borax, or lead. 



Ignorant practitioners, however, have more than once mistaken protrusion of a portion of 

 the uterus for a tumour, and have performed a brutal operation, which could not fail to kill the 

 unfortunate animal. It should be remembered that the womb is soft, and not vascular ; nor does 

 it glisten like the polypus, which latter can generally be felt to depend from a stalk. 



Tumours having broad bases are sometimes found in the canine vagina. These do not 

 admit of removal, and the general health of the bitch must be attended to. 



Prolapse of the walls of the vagina or part of the uterus itself is not uncommon at special 

 times in some weakly animals. The swollen parts must be carefully returned, and frequent 

 injections of cold water used, to which a few drops of tincture of muriate of iron had better 

 be added. Great cleanliness is needed, and quinine or some bitter tonic mixture should be 

 given internally. 



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