Vaginitis and Vulvitis 899 



These lacerate and abrade the genital passages in a highly repul- 

 sive manner, and simultaneously deposit the infection in the 

 maimed tissues. Add to these, dirty hands of careless operators 

 and the virulent infection from a putrid fetus or fetal membranes, 

 and a highly dangerous infection of the vagina or vulva is almost 

 inevitable. 



Necessarily no differentiation can usually be made between 

 inflammation of the vagina and of the vulva, since these two 

 canals are continuous at the time of parturition, and the vagina 

 cannot well be involved without the vulva sharing in the disease 

 to a greater or less extent, and vice versa. 



Inflammation of the vagina or vulva may lead to suppuration, 

 ulceration or gangrene. Necrosis of the lips of the vulva, or of 

 the walls of the vagina, may lead to a rapidly fatal termination ; 

 or, should the patient survive, .the vulvar lips may slough away, 

 and more or less atresia of the vulva or vagina result. While 

 dealing with dystokia in the anterior presentation, due to the 

 extension of the posterior limbs beneath the fetal body, we re- 

 lated, on page 778, three cases in which serious vulvitis, vaginitis 

 or cystitis followed, one case ending fatally. 



The lips of the vulva, and the mucous membrane of the vulva 

 and vagina, become inflamed and swollen. If the lips of the 

 vulva are parted, the mucosa is observed to be of a deep red or 

 dark blue, or a necrotic greenish-black. Usually there are also 

 visible lacerations or abrasions of the mucous membrane, with 

 more or less suppuration. The swelling and pain in the. pdrts 

 may cause difiiculty in defecation or urination. 



The prognosis of vaginitis and vulvitis must be based upon the 

 extent and virulence of the infection. Where the necrosis of the 

 tissues is not extensive, the prognosis is usually good; but when 

 there is extensive gangrene, accompanied by general septicaemia, 

 a fatal issue may be expected.. In cases of more or less exten- 

 sive ulceration or gangrene, without marked septicaemia, there 

 may be highly important adhesions or constrictions, which may 

 serve to prevent thereafter the breeding of the animal. 



The treatment of vaginitis consists essentially of disinfection, 

 which needs be vigorous and thorough. The attending veteri- 

 narian should guard with all possible care against septicaemia in 

 cases of gangrene, by the administration internally of quinine. 



