The Abdomen 285 



siderably reduced and the animal subsequently made a good re- 

 covery. 



Estrual Hypertrophy of the Mucosa. This condition is not 

 at all uncommon in young females. In my experience, members of 

 the St. Bernard breed are most apt to suffer. Pathologically, it 

 consists of an hypertrophied area of mucosa, a sort of elephantiasis, 

 the seat of which is usually the floor of the vagina anterior to the 

 urethral orifice, but the whole circumference may be involved. It 

 is very generally mistaken for and described as prolapse of the 

 vagina, but while the turgid mass of tissue protrudes more or less 

 through the vulva, with the exception of this feature it has nothing 

 in common with true eversion of the vagina. In its morphologic 

 and microscopic features the neoplasm resembles a myxoma and is 

 sometimes mistaken for such, but it is purely a temporary congestive 

 condition associated with the advent of sexual excitement. It gen- 

 erally makes its appearance towards the end of the estrual epoch 

 and subsides as the latter declines. It tends to recur periodically 

 and is then described as being habitual. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. A globular or pyriform tumor is 

 observed protruding through the vulva during the estrual period. 

 It is most prominent when' the animal is in the sitting posture, be- 

 coming considerably retracted within the vagina when the standing 

 posture is assumed and if small may disappear altogether. Through 

 contact with the ground it may ulcerate in places and become gan- 

 grenous. There may or may not be a history of previous appearance 

 of the enlargements. 



Treatment. The only effective way of dealing with this form 

 af enlargement and at the same time prevent recrudescence is to 

 extirpate it. Authorities in general advise that the protrusion be 

 reduced, a pessary or packing inserted within the vagina and the 

 vulva stitched, the stitches being left in position for several days. 

 All such measures are superfluous for the reason that the swelling 

 will usually subside of its own accord at expiration of the estrual 

 period. If treatment is undertaken it should be radical. 



The most satisfactory method of removing the growth is as 

 follows : Draw the mass well out of the vagina by means of a stout 

 silk suture passed through its substance. Seek the urethral orifice 

 and insert a probe or catheter in the same, to serve as a guide, as 

 particular care must be exercised to avoid wounding it. If the mass 



