T/iAI'MAT/f Lh'smxs of THE HKSITAL nl'jlASS, KTV. 619 



III. — Thuomhus of the Vagina and Vl'lva. 



Thrombus or lui'matoma of the vagina and vulva, is sometimes 

 obsei-ved in the Mare and Cow after parturition, and is due to an infil- 

 tration of blood into the connective tissue of these parts, from the 

 almost inevitable injury they sustain durinj:^ laborious parturition. 



In such cases, when the fcvtus is very large or in a wrong position, 

 considerable manipulation and traction are often necessary to adjust 

 and remove it ; and this leads to bruising of the soft parts against the 

 pelvis, and laceration and rupture of the bloodvessels and connective 

 tissue. The bloodvessels are larger, and probably more numerous, 

 during pregnancy than at other times ; consequently, there results 

 extravasation of blood, and considerable tumefaction of the genital 

 canal, particularly in the vagina and vulva. Sometimes this tume- 

 faction appeai-s during parturition, when it may form an obstacle to 

 birth. 



The mucous membrane is raised into irregular masses, perceptible to 

 the eye, and still more markedly to the touch. The membrane itself 

 has a blue, violet, or black tint ; the labia of the vulva are consider- 

 ably swollen, and the engorgement may extend to the thighs and 

 croup. 



If there is not much extravasation, the effused blood may be absorbed 

 in a few days ; but if the thrombus is extensive, the blood becomes 

 decomposed, gives rise to inflammation, which may run on to gangrene, 

 and septic infection consequently ensue. 



As to treatment, scarifications are, above all things, to be recom- 

 mended. 



Samson, 1 who has had much experience of these cases, says that the 

 labia of the vulva should be well separated, and a bistoury plunged 

 into the right and left walls of the vagina, as if to open an abscess ; the 

 incisions should be large, and proportioned to the quantity and situa- 

 tion of the clots ; pressure must then be made, so as to remove the 

 latter. 



The operation appears to be quite innocuous ; though a case is 

 recorded by Cartwright,'- in which a stream of blood issued from one of 

 the punctures, in consequence of a large vein being wounded. 



When all the extravasated blood has been removed from beneath the 

 mucous membrane or skin, cold water injections and sponging, and 

 weak solutions of carl)olic acid, jiermanganate of potash, or other deter- 

 sive and antiseptic fluids, should be resorted to. The same treatment 

 is to be adopted when suppuration has set in, only more attention must 

 be paid to the antiseptic treatment. 



Should haMnorrhage from the incisions prove troublesome, styptics 

 — such as dilute iron perchloride — and tampooning the vagina, may 

 be had recourse to. 



IV. — Rklaxation of the Pelvic Symphysis. 



This accident, which is far from common in woman, is still more 

 rare in animals ; and there appear to be only two cases recorded, both 

 being Cows. 



With regard to the cause, there is probably a natural tendency to the 



' Reaifil de Malerinf Vitcriimirr., 1863, p. 106. 

 •* VtUrinarian, vol. xi.x., p. 386. 



