Authors speak of cancer of the vagina. I have seen nothing yet in the animal that I may designate by such a term. I have, it is true, met with serious wounds and grievous sores; but all of these have yielded to treatment, and I am not aware that, if their nature had been malignant, they could have been subdued by any medicinal measures.
Dropsy of the uterus I have encountered, though, as no teacher or work speaks of such an affection in the dog, it was some time before I was able to recognise the disease. The bitch thus afflicted is generally petted into ill-health. She is fat, slothful, and weakly. All the various symptoms show the digestion to be deranged; and in most cases she eventually perishes of abdominal disease, which is in its termination independent of the condition of the uterus. The only marked symptom directing attention to the womb, is the cessation of every sign indicating sexual desire. For years there may be no appearance of "heat;" but otherwise the bitch shall be regarded only as delicate, and not be esteemed to be decidedly unwell. If, however, the body of the animal be examined after death, the body and horns of the uterus will be found distended with a thin aqueous fluid; and the walls of the organ will be seen to be very attenuated, and much wanting in vascularity. There is no precise limit to the size the uterus may attain; but, in consequence of its increased volume, it occupies another situation to that it naturally holds in the abdomen of the bitch. Generally, when dropsical to any extent, it will repose immediately upon the linea alba; and it is apt to be injured if care be not taken when the post mortem examination is made.
For dropsy of the uterus, general measures must alone be employed, and these must be of a tonic character; for, however much the dog may be petted, or however fat its body may be, the disease is always consequent upon debility. Among the tonics are several which have a stimulating action upon the uterus, and where it is suspected to be affected the following medicines may be administered:—
| Powdered cinnamon | One scruple to one and a half drachm. |
| Powdered borate of soda | Ten grains to two scruples. |
| Powdered secale cornutum | One to six grains. |
| Extract of gentian | One drachm to half an ounce. |
| Powdered quassia | A sufficiency. |
Make in twenty-four pills, and give three daily.
| Iodide of iron | Ten grains to one scruple. |
| Powdered cinchona bark | One drachm to half an ounce. |
| Extract of gentian | One drachm to half an ounce. |
Make as in the previous prescription.
| Iodide of potassium | Ten grains to one drachm. |
| Tincture of cantharides | Five drops to one scruple. |
| Simple syrup | One drachm. |
| Water | Two ounces. |
Let a tea-spoonful be given three times a day.
In some cases the pills first recommended may be given with the drops last proposed; but the action must be watched, and either the dose diminished or the medicine withheld, if it appears to have any violent effect. The intent is to work gently and gradually upon the system, and no immediate result should be expected or desired.