Dourine 757 



may be somewhat misleading, depending largely for its ex- 

 pression upon the frequent urination, rather than upon genu- 

 ine sexual desire. 



As the disease progresses, the volume of the discharge 

 tends to increase. In some cases it assumes a dirty gray- 

 ish color, and may become fetid. The swelling of the vulva 

 increases, the labiae become much enlarged, tense, elastic, 

 and glistening. Their margins stand somewhat apart, so 

 that the vulva is partly open, especially at its lower com- 

 missure. 



Within a few weeks after the advent of the disease, there 

 appears quite regularly a characteristic loss of pigment in 

 the skin of the vulva and the neighboring parts. This de- 

 pigmentation begins along the margins of the vulva, with- 

 out prior vesicular or pustular eruptions, as simple white 

 patches, and thence extends in irregular lines or spots, until 

 it may involve the entire vulva, perineum and anus. The 

 white patches have irregular borders and are of various 

 shapes and sizes. They persist for several months and, in 

 case of the apparent recovery of the animal, tend finally to 

 disappear, fading first at the periphery, while upon the mar- 

 gins of the vulvar lips they persist for six months or a year. 

 (See Fig. 225.) 



Of even greater diagnostic significance are the changes 

 which occur in the clitoris. Comparatively early in the 

 course of the disease, this organ becomes swollen and, the 

 vulva being somewhat open at the inferior commissure, be- 

 comes visible ordinarily without mechanically parting the 

 labiae. The secretion of sebum in the prepuce of the clitoris 

 apparently ceases, and the swollen organ becomes dry and 

 glistening. Depigmentation of the clitoris and its prepuce 

 occurs early and persists for one to two years in those mares 

 which apparently recover. In my experience it is the last 

 symptom to disappear. The swollen, depigmented clitoris 

 with gaping vulva constitutes one of the most uniform and 

 persistent symptoms of the malady and gives to the vulva 

 of a young mare the appearance of extreme old age. 



Following closely upon the first appearance of local lesions. 



