646 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



nearly universal that they may, in a sense, be designated as 

 normal. In themselves such injuries are unimportant. They 

 acquire interest through the fact that they afford inviting 

 avenues for infection. The abrasions and contusions of the 

 vagina are often aggravated in cases of dystocia by the im- 

 prudent and careless use of harsh, dirty cords or other ap- 

 pliances. 



If the fetal membranes are retained and decompose, the 

 virulent infection present readily invades the injured tis- 

 sues. When infection exists within the uterus and passes 

 out through the vagina, it endangers, in passing, the dam- 

 aged tissues. In metritis quite commonly the highly infec- 

 tive secretions of the uterus are promptly expelled into the 

 vagina and lie there for hours before the expulsion from the 

 genital canal is completed, constantly irritating the mucosa. 

 One of the commonest and most serious types of vaginitis 

 is that caused by imprudent or clumsy attempts at douching. 

 Some laymen think that they may control "contagious abor- 

 tion" by vaginal douching. Other laymen think that, when 

 douching the vagina, they are douching the uterus. Many 

 publications by technically scientific persons advise the use 

 of powerful disinfectants in the vagina. Frequently the 

 teaspoon is advised as a standard of measurement, although 

 teaspoons vary greatly in size and both solids and liquids 

 may be heaped up in varying degrees, or some of the disin- 

 fectant may run over into the water. Sometimes a slow- 

 dissolving salt, such as permanganate of potash, is advised 

 and douching is attempted before the crystals are dissolved.' 

 The heavy crystals may drop down upon the vaginal floor 

 and cause necrosis. The vaginal mucosa is extremely vul- 

 nerable to disinfectants. Solutions borne with impunity by 

 the uterus and vulva are intolerable for the vagina. This 

 must always be borne in mind in douching. Whenever the 

 douche is so irritant that it causes distress, it is injuring the 

 organ and should not be used. Vaginitis is common as an 

 extension by continuity of cervicitis, especially in purulent 

 cervicitis involving the vaginal end. Vaginitis usually fol- 

 lows coitus in heifers badly affected with the nodular vene- 

 real disease. The exacerbation of the infection follows coi- 



