INJURIES AND INFLAMMATION OF THE YULYA, ETC. 
427 
uterus a communication existed; faeces had entered the uterus, whilst the 
bones of the foetus were almost completely exposed by decomposition of the 
soft parts; some had penetrated into the rectum. 
Hess saw a similar case : a three year old cow which had been covered in 
February, did not calve by November, and was therefore fattened; in the 
following spring, on its being slaughtered, the neck of the uterus was found 
to have been ruptured, and to have again united in a globular form. The 
uterus containing the calf lay in the left lower flank, suspended by the broad 
uterine ligament. It was 20 inches in length, and weighed nearly 40 pounds. 
The skin already showed growth of hair, and the two nipping teeth were 
distinctly developed; the foetus, when separated from the uterus, was there¬ 
fore about eight months old. Hess thought that torsion of the uterus was 
responsible for the rupture. 
The principles laid down in speaking of wounds of the vagina apply 
equally to the prognosis and treatment of uterine injuries. As long as 
the cervix uteri remains closed to infection, injuries like ruptures of the 
uterus seldom produce grave results. Certainly they are sometimes 
followed by abdominal pregnancy and death during parturition, while 
extensive ruptures may also take a fatal course in consequence of 
excessive bleeding. It is quite otherwise in injuries occurring during 
parturition. Even slight wounds of the uterus then become grave ; and 
in mares, perforating wounds almost always prove fatal. 
The gravity of injuries to the prolapsed uterus is determined by their 
extent and character, and the degree of general disturbance. When 
colic, fever, and continuous severe straining exist, and when in carnivora 
vomiting occurs, little can be done, though even such cases should not 
be abandoned. 
The prolapsed parts should be carefully cleansed, bleeding checked as 
far as possible (for the greater the quantity of blood which accumulates 
in the uterus when replaced, the greater the danger of decomposition), 
any remaining after-birth removed, wounds sutured, and the organ then 
replaced. (See “ Prolapse of the Uterus.”) 
Inflammation of the vagina or uterus most frequently follows partu¬ 
rition, and is treated of in the study of obstetrics. Certain forms of 
purulent inflammation occur, however, in non-pregnant animals, especi¬ 
ally soon after coitus, and in young cattle, and are apt to take a chronic 
course. Such conditions have repeatedly been described by English 
veterinarians. Recovery is stated to rapidly follow washing out the 
vagina and uterus with carbolic solution or other antiseptic fluid. 
In bitches fatal septic inflammation of the uterus is not infrequent, 
even when the animal is not pregnant and has not recently been 
delivered. 
Cases of infectious fluor albus in oxen (vaginitis, kolpitis purulenta) have 
often been described in Germany. Martens found the disease throughout a 
certain district, and believed it was spread during coitus. He recommends 
