686 DISEASES OF SWINE 



PIG-BED FEVER (INFLAMMATION OF UTERUS AND VAGINA, 

 METRITIS AND VAGINITIS) 



It is rather uncommon in tlie sow to have an inflammation of 

 the womb or uterus. Inflammation of this organ is known in 

 scientific works as metritis. Associated with this inflammation of 

 the uterus there frequently occurs an associated infection of the 

 passage leading to the organ, namely, the vagina. This is known 

 as vaginitis. 



Causes. — Vaginitis and metritis are especially hkely to occur 

 after a difficult delivery in which it has been necessary for the 

 owner to give assistance. Unclean hands, cords, hooks, and other 

 instruments used in the effort to remove the pigs carry with them 

 dirt and germs which become the source of a severe infection. 

 When the pigs die in the womb, and are left there to decompose, 

 they frequently cause an infection, and leave a septic condition re- 

 maining for many weeks after they are finally thrown off. Leaving of 

 the after-birth is another frequent cause of severe infections of the 

 uterus and vagina. Infections of the genital tract are predisposed 

 to by unclean pens and surroundings which make it an easy matter 

 for disease-producing germs to enter and set up trouble. Following 

 an abortion the animal is especially liable to develop an infection 

 of the womb and vagina. The genital organs at this time are not 

 properly prepared for giving birth to the young, and are not in con- 

 dition to rapidly return to normal as they should. As a result, it 

 is not difficult for germs to enter and get a quick start. These in- 

 fections occurring after abortion are usually very severe in char- 

 acter and frequently prove fatal. 



Symptoms. — Some cases of metritis are very mild in their 

 nature and produce but few symptoms. In fact, the disease may 

 pass unnoticed until it is found that the sow is sterile, and then, on 

 making an investigation to determine the cause for barrenness, it is 

 discovered that an inflammation of the womb is present. 



With an attack of inflammation of the womb there is usually a 

 history of a difficult birth, and often one that made it necessary for 

 the owner to give assistance in delivering the pigs. Often in these 

 cases the after-birth, or even a dead pig, remains in the uterus, to 

 form a decomposing, stinking mass that acts as the starting-point 

 for the infection. If the case be severe, a few hours after the birth 



