614 ACCIDENTS AFTER PARTURITION. 



during natural labour and from continuity of texture ; or when the os is 

 amply dilated, but the vagina is overstretched by the foetus. 



In some instances such an accident as rupture of the vagina may be 

 secondary — as when the textures which form its walls are much bruised 

 and contused during the passage of the foetus. Then gangrene may 

 supervene, and the mortified tissue be thrown off in a gradual manner, 

 until complete perforation has taken place. 



The lesions arising from these different causes are extremely varied 

 — from removal of the epithelium or simple abrasion, to laceration of 

 the mucous membrane, or even complete perforation of the vagina ; 

 they may be situated either towai'ds the vulva or cervix uteri, on the 

 sides, floor, or roof of the canal ; or they may only concern the vagina, 

 or involve at the same time the neighbouring organs and textures. 

 Consequently, the gravity and the symptoms of such lesions vary con- 

 siderably, according to their simplicity or complexity. Nevertheless, 

 as will be noted hereafter, a trifling abrasion may bring about very 

 serious consequences ; while an apparently formidable injury may be 

 followed by no unfavourable indications. 



With regard to rupture of the vagina, and particularly that which 

 may be designated " spontaneous," it may be remarked that when the 

 lesion occurs towards the cervix uteri, it is nearly alw^ays transversal, 

 and, as has been before stated, the vagina may be completely separated 

 from the uterus. In other instances, the form and direction of the 

 rupture will differ considerably. Longitudinal rents often extend into 

 the cervix uteri and body of the uterus. 



Of all the domestic animals, the Mare appears to suffer most frequently 

 from lesions of the vagina produced during parturition. The reasons 

 for this liability have already been alluded to ; they may be chiefly 

 referred to the length of the limbs of the foetus, and the energetic and rapid 

 contractions of the uterus, as well as the greater susceptibility of this 

 animal to morbid influences — such as septicaemia. Nevertheless, in all 

 animals these injuries are notoriously serious, and if tlie laceration 

 occurs when the tissues of this part are bruised, chafed, and irritated 

 by manipulations during a laborious delivery, they are all the more 

 grave. Eainard justly remarks that Bitches and Cats in which such a 

 condition of the tissues exists, all succumb if there is the most trifling 

 rupture of the vagina, even if there be no hernia. 



If the laceration is extensive towards the bottom of the vagina, the 

 abdominal cavity will be opened, and the foetus, if it has not been 

 expelled, may have partly passed through the rupture ; in consequence 

 of the walls of the passage being much less contractile than those of the 

 uterus, the accidental opening is more pervious in tlae vagina than the 

 uterus, and thus all the more readily allows the intestines or bladder to 

 pass through. 



Laceration or rupture of the vagina is more easily diagnosed than 

 when this accident occurs in the uterus, as it is much more accessible 

 to the eye and hand ; though in some cases it is difficult to ai'rive at an 

 exact knowledge of the situation or extent of the injury. 



With regard to j^^'ognosis, this will much depend upon circumstances 

 and the complications met with. Sometimes a naere abrasion of the 

 mucous membrane which produces a raw surface, or a laceration extend- 

 ing to the submucous connective tissue, may lead to septic infection. 

 This is particularly to be apprehended should the fcetus or membranes 

 have undergone decomposition, or any putrid matter — as the lochia — 



