QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 289 



Treatment: Depends upon the cause. In general, the affected 

 parts should be irrigated with warm, sterile water until it flows out 

 clear; then with an astringent, antiseptic solution, such as potas- 

 sium permanganate, 1-1000, or lysol, 1 per cent. Iodoform is 

 highly efficient in this disease. A gelatine capsule containing two 

 or three drachms of this agent can be carried into the uterine cavity 

 and there opened and the contents scattered over the diseased 

 membrane. Treatment must be persistent and repeated daily until 

 a healthy condition is obtained. General tonics are useful. 



How may rupture of the uterus during labor be recognized? 



Small ruptures may pass unnoticed for a few days after par- 

 turition, when the symptoms of septic peritonitis lead the operator 

 to make a manual exploration and discover the opening. An ex- 

 tensive rupture occurring during labor is often followed by collapse 

 and death from hemorrhage. The escape of the fetal fluids into the 

 peritoneal cavity likewise results in collapse and death. If death 

 is not sudden, the animal ceases straining, the pulse becomes small 

 and imperceptible, and a cold perspiration covers the body. 



Give the treatment of laceration of the cervix uteri. 



Small lacerations require little or no attention. Extensive 

 lacerations should be treated antiseptically. Adjust the vaginal 

 speculum and with long dressing forceps, holding pledgets of 

 cotton, remove aU discharges. In the same manner swab the edges 

 of the wounds with proper medical agents, such as Tr. iodine, 

 iodoform, etc. 



Define lochia and give its treatment. 



Lochia is the term applied to the uterine discharge occurring for 

 a period of a few hours or a few days following parturition. It 

 consists of blood and fragments of the uterine mucosa or of the 

 placental villi, which must be expelled before the uterus can resume 

 its normal state. It is a purely physiological condition and requires 

 no treatment unless infection occurs, when the condition is no 

 longer normal but pathological. 



What is meant by lochia? Is lochia common in domestic animals? 



See answer to preceding question. Lochia is common in all 

 domestic animals, but is more noticeable in some than others. In 

 the mare and cat it is very scant, whereas in the cow, sheep, and 

 bitch it is more abundant. 



19 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



