Treatment. One of the principal reasons why vaginitis persists is the retention of morbid products in the vaginal culs-de-sac. Treatment ought therefore to aim chiefly at removing these by soothing, astringent, and antiseptic injections. Soothing injections should first be tried. They consist of lukewarm water at body temperature, decoctions of black-cherry bark, poppy-heads, linseed, etc. After a few days, when the excessive sensibility has disappeared, antiseptic and astringent solutions may be used, such as crystallised alum, 150 grains to the pint; sulphate of zinc, 75 grains to the pint; carbolic acid, lysol, cresyl, etc., 150 grains to the pint.
Injections of permanganate of potash of the strength of 150 grains to the pint and of solutions of iodine at a strength of 1 in 2,000 are more active, but require more careful handling. Hydroxyl diluted with from 3 to 5 parts of water is also of great efficacy. Strong solutions should never be used, because they cause irritation and expulsive efforts.
All these injections may be made without difficulty by passing a simple perforated drainage tube to the end of the vagina, and connecting it with a syringe, or, better, with a small cistern hung from the wall, which allows the required pressure to be obtained.
When there are deep and severe wounds, the parts should be washed out once or twice daily and the vagina should be packed with surgical wool and iodoform gauze. The septic liquids are absorbed by the dressing, which acts continuously. This dressing is renewed until recovery takes place.
CONTAGIOUS VAGINITIS.
During the past few years certain observers have described a disease which has been termed “contagious vaginitis,” in consequence of the facility with which it is transmitted.
This vaginitis may be transmitted by copulation, the bulls then serving as propagators of the disease. The bulls themselves are usually affected with balanitis.
The causative agent of the disease is unknown.
This contagious vaginitis is characterised by all the symptoms of acute vaginitis, and it is only from the fact of its appearing in all the animals served by one bull that its contagious character is established. A short time after service the vulva appears swollen and extremely sensitive; at the same time general disturbance appears, viz., diminution of appetite and of milk secretion, slackening of rumination, etc.
Vaginal exploration, which is somewhat difficult, reveals a papulovesicular eruption, accompanied by a muco-purulent discharge.