DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 183 



PBOTBUSION OF THE VAGINA PROLAPSUS VAGINAE. 



This is common during pregnancy, from chronic relaxation of the 

 vaginal walls and from lying in stalls that are lower behind than in 

 front. The protrusion is of a rounded form and smooth, and if it 

 embraces both sides of the canal it is double with a passage between. 

 It may sometimes be remedied by raising the hind part of the stall 

 hi.u'her than the front part. This failing, a truss may be applied as for 

 eversion of the womb, and worn until the period of calving approaches. 

 (Plates xxii. xxni.) 



HERNIA (BEEACH) OF THE UTERUS. 



This occurs usually in advanced pregnancy, from a gradual relaxa- 

 tion and distension of the lower wall of the abdomen, in the region of 

 the udder, so that the latter is displaced downward, and in the sac 

 above and in front of it may be felt the form and movements of the 

 . In other cases the womb escapes through a great laceration of 

 the abdominal muscles to one side of the udder, and the hernial mass 

 extends down to one side of that organ. However unsightly, this 

 often allows the animal to complete its pregnancy naturally, and a 

 broad supporting bandage placed around the abdomen is about all 

 that can be recommended. After calving it is best to fatten the cow. 



CRAMPS OF THE HIND LIMBS. 



The compression by the \vonib and fetus of the nerves passing 

 through the pelvis sometimes causes cramp and inability to move the 

 limb, but it disappears under friction and motion and is never seen 

 after calving. 



DROPSY OF THE HIND LIMBS AND BETWEEN THE THIGHS. 



In the latter months of pregnancy the hind legs may swell beneath 

 the hocks, or a soft swelling which pits on pressure with the linger 

 appears from the vulva down between the thighs to the udder and in 

 front. It is mainly due to the pressure of the enlarged womb on the 

 blood-vessels, is not dangerous, and disappears after calving. 



DROPSY OF THE MEMBRANES OF THE FETUS DROPSY OF THE 



The unimpregnated womb may be filled with a dropsical fluid, but 

 the pregnant womb is more liable to become overdistended by an excess 

 of fluid in the inner water-bag in whieh the fetus floats. (Plate xn.) 

 From an unhealthy state of this membrane or of the blood of the fetus 

 (watery blood) this liquid may go on accumulating until the cow seems 

 almost as broad as she is long. If the trouble has not originated in the 

 ill health of the cow, the result isstilltodrawoii her system, overtax her 

 strength, and derange her digestion so that the result may prove fatal 



