SEPTIC BLOOD DISEASES. 401 ' 



POST-PAKTUEIENT SAPE^MIA AND SEPTICEMIA. 



Retention of the fa3tal membranes, even for an hour, in the 

 mare is apt to be succeeded by a most acute and fatal form of 

 septic infection manifested by the symptoms of acute metritis 

 (which see), Tlie cow, however, seems to resist the rapid 

 invasion of the organisms and their products, and manifesta- 

 tions of the septic invasion are not observable in the majority 

 of cases for some time after parturition. 



The foetal membranes are naturally expelled in a few hours, 

 sometimes immediately after the birth of the offspring ; and in a 

 few days afterwards another discharge appears, known amongst 

 cattle people as the " second cleansing," — lochial discharge, con- 

 sisting of mucus tinged with streaks of blood, and the debris or 

 cast-off products of the uterine mucous membrane. Occasionally, 

 however, this second discharge is retained, and undergoes 

 microbic changes, the ptomaines of which are absorbed — and it 

 seems to be a true saprsemia — into the circulation, giving rise to 

 the following symptoms. 



From the third to the sixth week after calving the cow 

 begins to lose condition, although her appetite at first is not 

 diminished ; but gradually rumination is suspended, and the 

 appetite entirely fails ; a peculiar odour is now noticed to 

 emanate from her ; the milk falls off in quantity, and has the 

 disagreeable smell; it has also a disagreeable flavour, and is 

 bluish in colour. Bowels are constipated, and the faeces are of 

 a dark colour, and covered with mucus, the vaginal and uterine 

 secretions suspended, and the vulva has a dried-up and con- 

 tracted appearance. 



The urine is high coloured, often albuminous, and has the 

 same smell as the other secretions ; the pulse is not much 

 affected in the earlier stages, but if the disease advances it 

 becomes soft, and sometimes dicrotonous ; the temperature 

 varies from 103° to 105° F. 



In the more advanced stages there is grinding of the teeth, 

 which may end in delirium and death. Mr. John Bell, of Carlisle, 

 who has had great experience in the treatment of this disease, 

 prescribes the following : — " Saline aperients combined with 

 calomel at commencement ; a good large poultice of flour and 

 mustard to the loins ; and when the brain symptoms set in, a 

 dose or two of chloral hydrate, which has invariably the desired 



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