6 Diseases of the Genital Orgafts 



should bear in mind the fact that the very large cornua 

 leave the uterine body at right angles, or somewhat re- 

 curved. The ordinary metal catheter used for the cow is 

 not, therefore, a wholly suitable instrument for the mare 

 because it can not readily follow the right angle turn from 

 the cavity of the uterine body into the horn. The soft rub- 

 ber horse catheter, guided into the base of the uterine horn 

 with a sound shaped somewhat like the modified Palmer 

 uterine dilators (Fig. 39, 2) may be safely pushed to the 

 cornual apex. The cornu may then be cleansed by siphoning 

 or, owing to the ample cervical canal, may be flushed out, 

 the return flow escaping alongside the catheter. 



b. Uterine abscess not rarely follows severe puerperal 

 metritis. A severe inflammation of the cervical mucosa oc- 

 curs at a period when there is little escape of exudate from 

 the uterine cavity, permitting the contiguous cervical sur- 

 faces to adhere and block the cervical canal. The imprisoned 

 pyogenic infection multiplies rapidly and soon distends the 

 uterus. The distended organ becomes powerless and the dis- 

 tension grows. Eventually colicky symptoms develop, and 

 in some cases there are painful and violent expulsive efforts. 

 Soon two to five or more gallons of pus accumulate and the 

 patient is in severe distress. If left to itself, in the cases I 

 have observed, the abscess usually points through the cervi- 

 cal canal and ruptures into the vagina. In the process the 

 cervix as a definite structure disappears and most of its 

 substance constitutes a part of the posterior wall of the ab- 

 scess. The OS uteri externum is firmly closed and marks ap- 

 proximately the center of the abscess from behind. 



The symptoms are those of general ill health until the ten- 

 sion within the abscess becomes great, when abdominal pain 

 and expulsive efforts constitute the two pronounced indica- 

 tions. In conjunction with a history of recent parturition, 

 especially of dystocia or retained fetal membranes, uterine 

 abscess should be suspected. Manual exploration through 

 the vagina causes pain and expulsive efforts. The vagina 

 may be normal, but is probably shortened owing to the ab- 

 scess pushing backward. Palpation reveals the tense, fluctu- 



