INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. 761 



may also be induced by obesity, more particularly iu the bitch, 

 exposure to cold, or any other debilitating influence. 



The disease may occur within a few hours after parturition, 

 or its appearance may be protracted to the third or fourth day. 

 and the chances of a favourable termination are in accordance 

 with the lateness of the attack. If occurring within the shorter 

 period, it is almost invariably fatal. 



Symptoms. — Eestlessness, paddling of the hind feet, loss of 

 appetite, almost a total suppression of milk, the few drops that 

 might be squeezed from the mammary gland being of a bluish 

 tiat, thin, and watery, sometimes of a reddish or even chocolate 

 colour, containing granular matter, more or less curdled in 

 appearance, and exhaling a peculiar odour. The vulva is small, 

 contracted ; the vaginal mucous membrane sometimes of a dark 

 purple hue, or a deep red colour, with petechial spots and purple 

 streaks. There is violent straining, discharge of a coffee-coloured, 

 fcetid liquid, and, as the disease advances, an exhaustive foetid 

 diarrhoea. The prostration of strength is extreme ; the pulse is 

 feeble, thready, and very rapid ; the heart's action tumultuous; 

 the belly tympanitic ; the surface of the body cold. So long as 

 sufficient strength remains, the animal will frequently lie down 

 and rise again ; will kick the belly, and show other signs of abdo- 

 minal pain ; and in the mare these symptoms are sometimes com- 

 plicated with those of inflammation of the feet. As the debility 

 increases, the animal will be unable to maintain the standing 

 posture, but whilst recumbent, will still manifest symptoms of 

 abdominal pain by rolling from side to side, looking round at 

 the flank, and by violent attempts to regain its feet ; the pulse 

 becomes feebler and feebler ; the breathing hurried and thoracic ; 

 at last the eye becomes amaurotic, and complete unconsciousnes 

 sets in ; the animal dying in from twelve hours to perhaps two 

 days after attack. 



Whilst practising in Mold, I had the opportunity of seeing 

 this disease extensively. Mold at that time was the terminal 

 station of the railway, and calving cows were driven in from 

 long distances in Wales for the purpose of being conveyed to 

 the English markets. They would sometimes calve on the road, 

 and were of necessity driven onwards with the rest of the herd, 

 and too often succumbed to this fatal malady. 



Treatment. — Bleeding, purgatives, and d'epressants of all kindp 



