230 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



The most common new growths in the vagina are 

 pedunculated fibromata and the infectious granulo- 

 mata. If they are at all extensive they constitute 

 a mechanical obstacle to delivery. New growths in- 

 volving the OS uteri and cervix are of rather rare 

 occurrence, but when present are usually malignant. 

 Cesarean section to save the puppies, with subse- 

 quent extirpation of the entire uterus or destruction 

 of the bitch, is the only alternative. 



Pedunculated tumors in the vagina should be re- 

 moved with the ecraseur and sessile tumors with the 

 scalpel and curette, hemorrhage being controlled by 

 pressure and styptics. 



5. Uterine inertia. — This condition is one of the most 

 common and at the same time the most vexatious 

 with which the practitioner has to deal. It is most 

 commonly found in highly bred, overly fat, pam- 

 pered, or debilitated bitches. The uterine contrac- 

 tions become weak or entirely suspended after the 

 birth of one or two puppies, sometimes even before 

 the first one is delivered. It is the cause of great 

 mortality, as the unborn puppies quickly die and 

 decompose. The bitch must be given stimulants — 

 brandy or whisky orally and ergotin hypodermically, 

 or fluid' extract "of ergot orally every thirty minutes 

 until the contractions begin again. 



If ergot fails, large doses of quinin sulphate com- 

 bined with intrauterine injections of warm sterilized 

 glycerin will often have the desired effect. One to 

 four drams of pituitrin, repeated in one hour if 

 necessary, is a remedy for this condition that gives 

 much promise, but its usefulness is not yet positively 

 decided. In any event, treatment must be persistent 

 and continuous until the contractions are reestab- 

 lished. It is not only useless but bad practice to 

 fish arotind with the forceps and try to remove the 



