This vaginitis is easy to diagnose. It may disappear spontaneously, and the treatment differs in no respect from that of ordinary acute vaginitis.
CROUPAL VAGINITIS.
Croupal vaginitis is a form of acute vaginitis, from which it is distinguished by the formation of false membranes resembling those of diphtheria over the whole of the vaginal mucous membrane.
It was described by Baumeister. Moussu has only seen one case, and that at a period which rendered recovery out of the question.
Symptoms. The external symptoms are those of acute vaginitis, with greyish, fœtid, purulent or sanguinolent discharge. On examination, the mucous membrane is found to be covered with yellowish, greyish false membranes, and with vegetations of a greyish, dirty, verrucous appearance. The entire extent of the vaginal mucous membrane may be attacked, together with the neck of the uterus. In Moussu’s case the uterus itself was entirely invaded.
These false membranes and vegetations are very adherent, and bleed freely at the slightest touch. They are apt to extend by degrees.
The cause of this infection has not yet been determined. It appears to obtain access to the parts during parturition, and develops insidiously for a week or two, when widespread lesions have already formed.
The diagnosis is extremely easy.
The prognosis is grave, for the lesions have a tendency to extend towards neighbouring organs. Moreover, the general health is severely affected; there is rapid wasting, loss of appetite, and continued fever and death occurs from exhaustion, intoxication, and possibly infection.
Treatment. The treatment suggested for the ordinary acute forms appears to be useless in this condition. The new membranes show too many folds, depressions, and accidental culs-de-sac for simple injections to have any real effect. Better results might be expected from packing with antiseptic gauze or from the use of antiseptic ointments applied after washing out the cavity with permanganate of potash solution or hydroxyl.