134 The Management and Diseases of the Dog 
POLYPUS IN THE VAGINA. 
Polypus is occasionally met with in the vagina of bitches. 
It consists in a pedicled tumour attached to some portion 
of the vaginal walls. It is generally situated some distance 
from the orifice, and is usually observed when the animal 
is in a lying posture. Sometimes it increases so much in 
size as to be continually protruded, and the act of urination 
causes it to be still more dependent. . 
Polypus may be confounded with uterine inversion, but 
a careful examination will at once remove this doubt, as its 
attachment can generally be felt. 
Symptoms.—The tumour is usually pear-shaped, having 
a pedicle, or stalk, as its base.- It is smooth, glistening, 
movable, and insensible when manipulated. It may be ac- 
companied by a purulent discharge, but, as a rule, there is 
simply an increase in the secretion of mucus. It creates 
much inconvenience in the act of urination, and when of 
considerable size interferes with the evacuation of feces. 
Treatment.—Removal by excision or ligature, which is 
attended with but little danger or constitutional disturb- 
ance, and the injection afterwards of astringents, with 
occasional application of lunar caustic, if unhealthy action 
or fungus results. 
INFLAMMATION OF THE UTERUS (METRITIS) 
Bitches are not very frequently troubled with this affec- 
tion. When it does happen, it is generally associated with 
parturition, particularly if the labour be protracted, and un- 
’ skilful or rough usage has been had recourse to. 
It may proceed from external violence, as blows or falls, 
or from the use of injudicious and excessive vaginal injec- 
tions. ; 
Symptoms.—Pain on pressure over the uterine region, and 
also on examination per vaginam ; in the latter, the os uzerz 
