902 Veterinary Obstetrics 



which, later in the progress of the disease, fluctuate. In a mare 

 we observed almost the entire floor of the vagina involved in a 

 series of large abscesses, which extended forward as far'as the 

 pubic brim. The fluctuation could be readily felt. The parts 

 were exceedingly tender, and the animal moved with very great 

 difl^culty. 



The prognosis of peri-vaginal abscesses must be based largely 

 upon their location and the possibility or probability of their rup- 

 turing or being opened into the vagina or rectum. 



The handling of peri-vaginal abscesses should be in accordance 

 with general surgical principles, and should consist funda- 

 mentally of opening the abscesses into the vagina or rectum at the 

 earliest possible moment. In the instance which we have already 

 cited, we hesitated too long to open the abscess, lest we might 

 thereby open the peritoneal cavity, and hoped for a spontaneous 

 rupture into the vagina, but our delay permitted the abscess 

 to rupture into the peritoneal cavity instead. It is hazardous 

 to delay opening the abscesses. If they cannot be safely opened 

 into the vagina or rectum, then fatal rupture into the peritoneal 

 cavity is practically certain. Thorough irrigation of the vagina 

 and abscess cavity should be applied daily or more frequently, 

 according to circumstances. Internal antiseptics, such as quinine 

 and potassium iodide, in full doses, are indicated. 



7. Pyemic Infection. 



Aside from the strictly local infections of the genital tract, 

 lesions of these organs afford a portal for the entrance of infec- 

 tions of various kinds into the system. The infecting organisms 

 may gain the lymph or blood circulation, and be carried to distant 

 parts of the body, where they may become lodged to multiply 

 and produce localized inflammation, with the formation of ab- 

 scesses or other changes, to constitute pyaemia. Pyaemic in- 

 flammations may involve any tissue or organ in the body, and 

 consequently may produce a great variety of symptoms. In ob- 

 stetric practice we observe chiefly, as pyaemic diseases belonging 

 to the puerperal state, poly-arthritis or pyaemic arthritis, and 

 metastatic inflammation of tendon sheaths. 



a. Poly-arthritis may be defined as an arthritis following par- 

 turition, and generally involving .several joints, especially the 

 tarsal, carpal, and femoro-tibial articulations. No articulation is 



