159 



quite a loug' period of time before the expulsion of the 

 foptus, tlius {ulmitting infection and allowing time for 

 the development of poisonous products. The absorption 

 of these products is facilitated by the absence of a 

 material placenta in the cow to which the disease seems 

 jK'culiar. The parts are retracted and the blood irreg- 

 ularly distributed in the womb and intestines. This in 

 connection with the presence in the womb of a profuse 

 adherent and semi-solid gelatiuuous mucoid substance, 

 translucent in appearance and far less ropy than the 

 clear and liquid discharge after normal delivery partic- 

 ularly favors this idea. 



As a matter of fact (waiving is an essential condition; 

 the disease never appears except in connection with 

 calving, usually one or two or three days after that act, 

 and, in rare instances, may occur a few hours before- 

 hand. Tw(j other conditions, less essential, but quite 

 as constant, should be mentioned. First, the cow is 

 nearly always a deep milker and in full flesh. Second, 

 the disease occurs in mature cows seldom earlier than 

 the third cahing, and when delivery is easy. More or 

 less disorder of the digestive organs always accompany 

 the disease, but this is probably secondary, though som(»- 

 have thought this a source of a part, at least, of pri- 

 mary cause. 



All breeds are subject to the malady, but the leading 

 milk breeds. Jerseys, Holsteins, Geurnsej'S and Ayer- 

 shires are the most frequent victims. 



An animal which has once suffered with the disease 

 is liable to have it recur at the next calving. 



Symptoms.— The cow calves with ease, in most in- 

 stances the afterbirth (placenta) is passed with the calf. 

 For a period of time varying from a few hours to three 

 and rarely four days, the cow is in apparently gooo 

 health. Then, if the first signs are noticed, the cow 



