55- Diseases of the Genital Organs 



It has been objected that, if the drugs are introduced in 

 the gelatin capsules, the latter may become coated with 

 mucus and fail to dissolve. I do not regard this as a for- 

 midable objection. I have not observed the result alleged 

 and think the occurrence so rare that the objection is not 

 weighty. If the veterinarian fears the non-solution of the 

 capsule, the defect is readily overcome by turning to the 

 less convenient suspension in oil. Objection has also been 

 raised to the use of iodoform because of its odor. The claim 

 is made that it contaminates the entire dairy, gets into the 

 milk, etc. I do not regard the objection as well taken. If 

 iodoform is properly used, all objection regarding its odor 

 and the tainting of milk disappears. Introduced into the 

 uterus in a gelatin capsule, none of the drug needs to be 

 scattered about the stable or premises, and, once deposited 

 in the uterus, its high specific gravity causes it to drop to 

 the lowest part of the cavity and to remain there unless dis- 

 turbed by siphoning fluids from the uterus. When suspended 

 in oil, the iodoform is quite firmly held and causes little diffi- 

 culty except that the mixture is slopped about in an untidy 

 manner. The tainting of the milk of the patient with iodo- 

 form is a minor complaint when properly handled. The 

 milk is wholly unobjectionable for the feeding of calves or 

 other animals. As a rule the milk of a cow which has endo- 

 metritis should be excluded from the market, and the iodo- 

 form taint insures the exclusion of the milk for human use 

 much as the application of kerosene to a condemned car- 

 cass insures against the sale of the meat for human use. 

 If proper warning is given the dairyman that the milk 

 should be carefully tasted by a good taster before it is placed 

 with market milk, all danger is safely averted. If the dairy- 

 man ignores the warning, the tainted milk is wholly without 

 danger to the intended consumer and only brings into dis- 

 repute products of the careless person. The warning should 

 be direct and complete. The animal should be in isolation 

 during treatment, a separate pail should be set aside exclu- 

 sively for her milk, and the milker should milk her last and 

 then carefully wash his hands with hot water and soap. It 



