344 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



The polypus being removed, perfectly cold, mild, as- 

 tringent injections, to act as healing and cleansing 

 lotions, should be used ; or if any portion of the stalk 

 remain, to that caustic may be applied. 



Authors speak of cancer of the vagina. I have seen 

 nothing yet in the animal that I may designate by such 

 a term. I have, it is true, met with serious wounds and 

 grievous sores ; but all of these have yielded to treat- 

 ment, and I am not aware that, if their nature had been 

 malignant, they could have been subdued by any medi- 

 cinal measures. 



Dropsy of the uterus I have encountered, though, as 

 no teacher or work speaks of such an affection in the 

 dog, it was some time before I was able to recognise the 

 disease. The bitch thus afflicted is generally petted into 

 ill-health. She is fat, slothful, and weakly. All the 

 various symptoms show the digestion to be deranged; 

 and in most cases she eventually perishes of abdominal 

 disease, which is in its termination independent of the 

 condition of the uterus. The only marked symptom 

 directing attention to the womb, is the cessation of every 

 sign indicating sexual desire. For years there may 

 be no appearance of " heat ;" but otherwise the bitch 

 shall be regarded only as delicate, and not be esteem- 

 ed to be decidedly unwell. If, however, the body 

 of the animal be examined after death, the body and 

 horns of the uterus will be found distended with a thin 

 aqueous fluid ; and the walls of the organ will be seen 

 to be very attenuated, and much wanting in vascularity. 



