8o8 



Diseases of the Genital Organs 



melanotic tissue suspended in fluid. Pyometra passes im- 

 perceptibly into uterine abscess. In some cases of pyometra 

 the discharge ceases for ten to thirty or more days, colic 

 may appear, and finally the indurated cervix yields to the 

 intra-uterine pressure and the pus escapes in large quanti- 

 ties. In many cases the discharge occurs only when the ani- 

 mal is recumbent, since the escape of the pus is passive, due 

 to the increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by the 

 position of the patient. In some cases the incarceration of 

 the pus is the result of contraction of the cervix. I have 

 seen great quantities of pus escape from the uterus while 

 the patient was under complete chloroform anesthesia for 



Fig. 231 — Pyometra. 

 r, Vagina ; CU, greatl}' thickened, sclerotic cervix 

 UC, cornu ; O, ovarj'. 



U, uterus ; 



other reasons. The disease shows no tendency to sponta- 

 neous recovery. The physical health of the animal can al- 

 most always be restored. I have not known a mare to con- 

 ceive later. The oviducts are probably blocked. The veteri- 

 narian should on no account leave the application of the 

 treatment in the hands of a layman. If the practitioner can 

 not have the patient under his immediate control, he had 

 best, for his professional reputation, let it alone. The 

 handling must be vigorous and continuous in order to assure 

 satisfactory results. 



The treatment consists of the surgical dilation of the cer- 

 vical canal, wth disinfection of the uterine cavity. The tech- 



