214 Veterinary Obstetrics 



while the inspiration of air into the rectum may be obviated by 

 pressure on the anus or, still better, by covering the anal opening 

 with a folded hand-towel. 



Heifers and cows which have been previously handled for in- 

 fectious granular venereal disease, with irritant remedies, or are 

 still suffering from the malady, are frequently so irritable and 

 afraid of the handling of the vulva or vagina that they are very 

 resistent and require very careful and close securing and, even in 

 the stocks, may either lower the hind quarters, rear, or throw 

 themselves down and thus render the examination very difficult. 

 As a general rule the hyperesthesia of the rectum and vagina 

 disappears spontaneously after eight to ten weeks. 



B. Kinking of the IvUmbo-Sacrai^ Symphysis. 



By this term we understand a sudden and rapidly alternating 

 elevation and depression of the lumbo-sacral articulation, with a 

 cracking sound. It occurs in young, timid animals and now and 

 then also in animals suffering from a serous infiltration of the 

 superior vaginal wall. As soon as, or just after, the hand is 

 passed into the rectum or vagina there occurs a sudden elevation 

 and depression of the sjmphysis, which painfully injures the 

 operator's arm and causes him to let go the ovary, which has 

 already been grasped. This very annoying symptom usually 

 ceases spontaneously in a few minutes but disappears more 

 promptly by tapping the horns, pressing upon the back and 

 leaving the arm wholly passive in the rectum. 



C. Serous Infiltration of the Superior Wall 

 OF THE Vagina. 



This condition is rarely seen except as the consequence of re- 

 peated rude palpation of the vagina or as a result of the injec- 

 tion of irritant remedies, especially in the treatment of granular 

 venereal disease. As a result the vagina becomes as much as 5 

 cm. thick with extensive serous infiltration, is sensitive, and the 

 folds are obliterated so that grasping of the ovary through the 

 vaginal wall is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. 



By suspending the vaginal palpation, recovery occurs sponta- 

 neously in 4-6 weeks. 



D. The Detachment of the Ovary. 

 In the operation of securing the ovary per rectum preparatory 



