IMPERFORATE VAGINA. 



561 



compression, together with uterine and vesical coHc, loss of appetite 

 and wasting. 



Diagnosis.^ The diagnosis requires care, and can only be arrived 

 at after examination of the vagina and examination per rectum. In 

 young females this examination is extremely difficult, because of the 

 narrowness of the genital tract and of the rectum. For vaginal exami- 

 nation we prefer to use a small speculum, which exposes the depths of 

 the vagina or the transverse septum without necessitating other 

 manipulation. On rectal examination the uterus and vat^ina are 



Fig. 235. — Imperforate vagina: position and appearance of the genital organs. Cu 

 Distended uterine horns (muco-metritis) ; Ya, dilated extremity of the vagina ; 

 Ye, bladder, distended with urine, owing to compression of the urethra. The hymen 

 was situated about IJ to 1^ inches in front of the meatus urinarius. 



sometimes found to be enormously enlarged, and to contain a quantity 

 of fluid, but no foetus. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is grave. Unless treatment is under- 

 taken the animals die in consequence of exhaustion or secondary 

 peritonitis. 



The treatment is simple, and consists in aseptic puncture of the 

 septum and evacuation of the contents. The operation is carried out 

 with a long, large-sized trocar, which is passed through the centre of 

 the most prominent portion of the transverse septum where it projects 

 towards the vulva. Five, ten, or fifteen quarts of mucous fluid escape, 

 and the constitutional disturbance disappears almost instantly. 

 D.c oo 



