RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 71 



fensive odor. This is usually due to difficult parturition, injuries 

 sustained during the act of parturition, infection by unclean hands 

 and instruments of attendants, and also by retaining the placenta, 

 where the placenta is not removed and is allowed to remain within 

 the uterus and can only be carried out by the process of sloughing. 

 All these causes render the mucous secretions more or less acid in 

 reaction, a fact which prevents conception by antagonizing the 

 spermatozoon (germ of life). 



Second are those causes by which there exist specific germs 

 within the genitals, which causes an abnormal condition and alter 

 the secretions of the same, such as the germs of abortion, which are 

 very common and cause a great deal of trouble at the present time ; 

 also altered conditions of the os uterus (mouth of the womb) due 

 to the existence of tumors or malignant growths obstructing the 

 natural opening of the os, thus preventing conception by excluding 

 the spermatozoon entirely. 



The third cause is improper development, or a diseased condi- 

 tion of the genitals, which renders them unable to perform their 

 natural functions. 



TREATMENT 



In every case, no matter what might be the cause of the dis- 

 order, you must first of all ascertain the cause and remove it. This 

 can be done by making a careful exploration with your hand, which 

 must first be thoroughly cleansed and lubricated with sweet un- 

 salted hog's lard. Introduce it through the vulva into the vagina 

 and carefully note any abnormality which you may feel ; or you 

 might use a vaginal speculum, which is made to so dilate these 

 organs as to give you a clear view of the parts within. If you notice 

 a whitish discharge from the os uterus ov vagina, it is a sure sign 

 of an abnormal secretion of the mucous membranes, this is almost 

 invariably of an acide reaction. In this case you must flush the 

 uterus and vagina with a tepid antiseptic solution (lysol 2%) using 

 a fountain syringe or siphon. After this you may inject the follow- 

 ing solution once daily or until the discharge has ceased : Take 1 

 teaspoonful of Neutrogen, dissolve in a pint of water, which has 

 been recently boiled and cooled down to body temperature and in- 

 ject as above stated. 



This will neutralize the secretions, give nature a chance to re- 

 pair the defects, and render the surroundings more favorable to con- 



