THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 135 



lent discharge. The irritation excited by the specific germ is fol- 

 lowed by a swelling of the lymph follicles; these appear prom- 

 inent on the surface of the mucous membrane in the form of 

 numerous small firm glands. This catarrh may remain localized 

 in the vestibule and vagina ; on the other hand, it may extend for- 

 ward to the uterus. This may cause systic degeneration of one or 

 both ovaries — abortion and sterility. 



The malady is described as a venereal disease in that it is 

 often transmitted by coition ; other factors in spreading infection 

 are immediate contact (soiled tail and hind parts), soiled fodder 

 and litter, hands, boots and clothes of attendants, grooming uten- 

 sils (curry comb), and infection from mother during and after 

 partuition. The quantity and virulence of the vaginal discharge 

 are in direct proportion to the intensity of the lesions. 



The disease is most intense in young animals in all stages 

 of the catarrh ; they are also most susceptible to natural infection. 

 Three-fourths of the disease occur in young cows and heifers, 

 and it is not uncommon to find a large number of young calves 

 and virgin heifers show distinct granular lesions. 



The incubation period depends largely on the activity of the 

 virus. Inflammation may appear three to five days after coition. 



In the acute form there is a swelling of the vulnar labia in- 

 creased mucous, and considerable congestion and swelling of the 

 vaginal mucous membrane. The cow evinces pain on manipula- 

 tion, urinates frequently and scantily, strains and arches her back 

 a little and shows uneasy movements of the tail and legs. Very 

 soon the discharge becomes purulent and more or less copious ; it 

 adheres to the tail and tuft of hair, and is found on the floor of 

 the stall; it is always odorless. The sticky nature of the dis- 

 charge causes the pus to cling to the membrane in flaky shreds, 

 hence on opening up the vagina a whitish grey shreddy coating 

 is found lining the canal. The vulvar lips readily parted with 

 the fingers when the granules are easily observed upon some por- 

 tions of the mucosa, usually best on the side opposite to the 

 observer. The granules differ greatly in color. In the intensely 

 inflamed cases the granules usually partake of a deep injection 



