180 THE DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



dividing its pedicle. When the tumour is diffused, has 

 no well-defined base, and is extensively blended with the 

 tissues of the wall, operation (except in the case of a very 

 small growth or of one taken early) would be too formid- 

 able an undertaking. Then the parts must be cauterised, 

 after exposure by introduction of a speculum if necessary, 

 and the passages kept clean by frequent washings with 

 solutions of zinc chloride. The strength of the patient 

 must be supported by use of tonics. Leucorrhcea, except 

 when due to tumours or wounds of the vulvo-vaginal 

 membrane, is not of frequent occurrence in bitches. When 

 there is a discharge through the great generative opening, 

 mainly of mucus, the parts should always be thoroughly 

 examined and cleaned, and the cause determined. When 

 there is- simple catarrh of the membrane astringent solu- 

 tions may be injected. Inversio v. Prolapsus Vagina 

 occurs in debilitated animals as a reddish or blue pro- 

 tuberance between the labia, varying in its degree of 

 projection at different times and in different cases. Thus 

 it is found especially when the animal is in "heat," and 

 after she has several times had pups. It is not infre- 

 quently chronic in its character so that the mucous mem- 

 brane becomes callous. Bull bitches are, by Mayhew, 

 considered most liable to this displacement. Careful 

 examination of the lesions should be made in each case to 

 determine whether true prolapsus or vaginal tumour has 

 to be dealt with. Treatment comprises thorough cleaning 

 of the part (which is often injured by the animal sitting on 

 it or dragging it on the ground), return of it to its normal 

 position and its retention by application of astringents, 

 such as alum solution, nitric acid with proof spirit (1-8), 

 according to Mayhew, or ointment of tannic acid. After- 

 treatment consists in keeping the bowels open, occasional 

 chloride of zinc solution injections, and, especially, the 

 administration of iron tonics. Sometimes the prolapsus 

 occurs post-partum, and it may assume a chronic character, 

 the organ protruding even beyond the lips of the vulva. 

 When other means have failed in such a case Eainard's 

 operation of amputation may be tried. He found that, 



