THE FEMALE GENERATIVE OEGANS. 465 



ceased. In sucli a case as this, when the passages are 

 clear, the use of ergot is indicated. 



FuEGE UTEEiNijs. — Sometimes cows remain as it were 

 in a constant state of oestrum, always ready to receive 

 attentions from the bull, in a highly excitable condition, 

 and often with a slight discharge trickling constantly 

 from the lower part of the urino-generative aperture. 

 The vaginal mucous membrane is congested. These 

 animals are termed " hullers/' and the furor is not always 

 to be associated with uterine disorders. Thus, it is a sign 

 of dropsy of the ovaries, of inflammation of the vulvo- 

 vaginal membranes, and often of the presence of tumours 

 in the generative passages. It is most frequently at- 

 tributable to scrofulous disease of the uterine walls, or 

 some other chronic inflammatory action in the uterus. 



Hydeops uteei. — Though many cases of retention of 

 oestral products have undoubtedly been mistaken for true 

 dropsy, some instances of the latter state are recorded. 

 These occur in animals supposed to be pregnant ; but 

 when distension of the uterus has taken place, the os 

 opens and there is a spontaneous evacuation of a 

 watery, or more frequently a semi-purulent or sanguineous, 

 fluid. This gives relief, and is succeeded by a gradual 

 reaccumulation and a recurrence of the false pregnancy. 

 Trying for the foetus in the usual manner is ineffectual in 

 these cases, and there are several signs of this not being true 

 pregnancy. The pent-up fluid should be evacuated as soon 

 as the disease has been diagnosed. Then the uterus should 

 be washed out frequently by syringing it with a weak 

 solution of carbolic acid or chloride of lime. In the 

 meanwhile the patient should be well fed and nursed, for 

 the disease results from debility, injuries, and slight in- 

 flammation. Tonic agents (especially mineral) will prove 

 beneficial. 



Inflammation op the Uteeus may be of three kinds, 

 according as the external, middle, or internal coat is the 

 main seat of disease. 



Endometeitis. — Inflammation of the mucous membrane 

 of the uterus results from injuries during parturition, 



30 



