Granular Venereal Disease of Cattle loi 



The nodules consist essentially of hypertrophied papillary 

 bodies. If the vulva is held open and reflected light thrown into 

 the cavity, the nodules can be readily distinguished ; they are 

 also readily recognizable by the sense of toucb. 



The mucous membrane is swollen, red and sensitive, bleeds 

 easily upon manipulation and is covered by an inodorous mucous 

 or muco-purulent secretion, which, flowing from the vulva, soils 

 the labise, tail and adjacent parts, where it dries in brown crusts 

 or, if in larger amounts, may flow from the vulva in long, ropy 

 masses. The denudation of the mucosa renders it quite sensitive 

 to the passage of urine over it, and the pain and irritation in the 

 part tends to cause urination with abnormal frequency. 



When the disease extends into the cavity of the gravid uterus, 

 which appears to be almost the rule, abortion occurs, while, in the 

 non-pregnant cow, nymphomania and sterility are common 

 results. 



The acute stage of the malady continues for 20 to 30 days, when 

 the swelling and tenderness abate and the nodules lose their red 

 color to become somewhat yellowish or grayish, perhaps some- 

 what transparent ; but the discharge and the granules persist for 

 90 to 100 days, or more. 



Vesicles, pustules or ulcers do not ordinarily occur, though ul- 

 cers and phlegmon have been very rarely recorded. Bulls show 

 a comparatively high resistance to the infection, and, though 

 they constitute the chief vehicle for the contagion, apparently 

 suffer .slightly, if at all, in most cases. 



When affected, they show analogous symptoms to those observed 

 in the cow. The penis is studded over with nodules, like those 

 of the vagina, which are easily .seen when the organ is extruded. 

 Erection, copulation or manipulation of the penis causes bleeding. 

 There is a muco-purulent discharge from the sheath of the penis, 

 which adheres to and soils the parts. 



Treatment. The handling of the malady consists essentially 

 of local disinfection, and, as in other localized infections, there 

 should be a thoroughness in application conformable to the in- 

 tricacy. We have stated above, that the cocci are found deeply 

 insinuated between the epithelial cells, and yet deeper within 

 the papillary bodies, that they may extend to the muco.sa of 

 the OS uteri, to the oviducts and even to the ovaries. Safe recov- 

 ery includes the successful destruction of the organisms in all 



