624 PATHOLOGY OF PARTURITION. 



CHAPTEE II. 



Leucorrhoea. 



When inflammation of the vagina, and perhaps also of tlie lining 

 membrane of the uterus, becomes chronic, the more acute symptoms 

 disappear; but the vaginal discharge continues, and may even increase 

 in quantity. Usually the fluid is of a white, glutinous, and odourless 

 character ; or it may be purulent, muco-purulent, or even chocolate- 

 coloured and sour-smelling, or sanious at times. The secretion is mainly 

 composed of mucus. Histologically, vrefind mucus corpuscles, an abun- 

 dance of epithelial cells, probably some pus corpuscles, and at times 

 micrococci and infusoria, particularly the Trichomonas vaginalis, which 

 is also found in healthy mucus from the vagina. Sometimes the secre- 

 tion is only manifest in an intermittent manner —as when the animal is 

 lying down or in movement, or during micturition. It is more frequently 

 observed in the Cow— particularly if lymphatic — than the Mare, and 

 especially if there is bad hygiene ; it is somewhat rare in the smaller 

 animals. The appetite is in many cases unimpaired, and the creature 

 does not appear to be inconvenienced in any way ; in other instances, 

 with the increase in the discharge and the duration of the disease, there 

 is loss of condition and appetite, the yield of milk is less, and it may be 

 viscid ; signs of oestrum are more frequently present, but fecundation 

 does not take place so readily as in health if the os and uterus are 

 afi"ected ; if it does occur, the chances are that the full period of preg- 

 nancy will not be reached. 



^Yhen the discharge is chiefly from the cervix uteri, it is more trans- 

 parent and watery-looking than when it comes from the vagina or 

 interior of the uterus, and the os is usually rnore or less dilated when 

 these parts are involved, while the uterus itself is not so firmly con- 

 tracted as when in a sound condition. 



The mucous membrane of the genital canal is pale, relaxed, and 

 insensible ; in other cases it may be roughened by granulations ; and 

 sometimes it is tumefied and red. Vaginal catarrh in the Bitch is often 

 associated with, or dependent on, the presence of papillomata or epithe- 

 liomata. 



In rare instances the tissues forming the canal become indurated and 

 lardaceous, while its calibre is diminished. Lafosse has even observed 

 adhesions between the sides of the vagina in an old Mare. 



With regard to treatment, if the disease is not of very long duration 

 it may yield to cleanliness and astringent injections — such as solutions 

 of sulphate of zinc, alum, permanganate of potass, tannic acid, etc. 

 When it has been in existence for a long time, however (it may continue 

 for months, and even years), it is generally very obstinate, chiefly from 

 the relaxed condition of the membrane. The uterus or vagina, or both 

 if affected, should be thoroughly washed out twice or thrice daily with 

 warm water, which ought to be injected until it flows out quite clear. A 

 solution of carbolic acid or cresyl in v;'arm water should then be injected. 

 A solution of the sulphate of iron has likewise been successfully used. 

 Nitrate of silver has also been efficaciously employed in solution (1 to 

 10), as has tannic acid (1 to 70). 



Tonics should be freely administered, and good food allowed. 



If the discharge continues after two or three weeks' treatment, it may 

 be found useful to apply a blister to the loins, croup, or thighs. 



