162 KENNEL DISEASES. 
Offensive discharges in the non-pregnant condition suggest cancer; but that 
malady is so rare, it would be far more reasonable to suspect that premature 
delivery had occurred, and something that should have come away had been re- 
tained and decomposed. While appearing soon after whelping, such a discharge 
would point to a dead puppy or other decomposing matter in the genital canal, 
or occasion suspicion that puerpural fever was on or threatened. 
Since vaginal discharges may depend upon a variety of diseased conditions, 
obviously treatment that will promise well must be in accordance with the cause. 
To determine that, however, will rarely be easy in any case, and almost impos- 
sible in many. Nevertheless good may be done in some cases by the employ- 
ment of vaginal injections of water holding certain medicines, the most valuable 
of which are the astringents. 
To administer these injections is easy with some subjects, but very difficult 
with others, and especially those of highly nervous temperaments. In no case 
however should they be resorted to unless they are absolutely required. For in- 
stance, a watery, mucous, or bloody discharge that has only recently manifested 
itself could scarcely be rightly interfered with, but in the absence of more serious 
signs should be left to nature for a time,— a week or two, perhaps,— and entirely 
when there is steady, even if only slow improvement. The same is in part true 
of offensive discharges, excepting always after whelping, although so long a 
delay might not be justified as in the first instance. 
As for a purulent discharge, that could properly be treated within a day or 
two. 
Where there seems to be vaginal irritation or inflammation, or worms are 
suspected, a solution of tannin, one drachm to a quart of water, is very service- 
able. Should this not have any decided effect, and the trouble has existed 
several weeks, a solution of the sulphate of zinc, one teaspoonful to a quart of 
water, might be used for a week, and then a return made to the tannin. 
If the discharge be offensive, an injection of warm water merely should be 
used, to wash the passage well; and the bad odor still existing, a twenty-five 
per cent or stronger solution of the peroxide of hydrogen should be injected. 
Purulent discharges may be treated with the tannin or zinc solutions. 
Unless the discharge is offensive or purulent,— when frequent injections each 
day will likely be required,— one daily will be quite enough as a general rule. 
Occasionally a vaginal discharge consequent upon disease will be cured by 
these means alone, and invariably if excited by worms; but the cause should 
always be treated and overcome where it can be determined. Moreover, the gen- 
eral health should be attended to, for in most instances it is more or less im- 
paired. 
