576 ACCIDENTS INCIDENTAL TO PARTURITION. 



and does not appear to be much inconvenienced, while but little after- 

 treatment is needed. Gentle walking, if the weather is fine, in order to 

 calm its restlessness and to allay the straining, if it is still present ; keep- 

 ing in a well-lighted and properly ventilated stable ; a blanket over the 

 body if the temperature is low ; a few enemas, if constipation threatens; 

 and a light laxative diet, with bran, oatmeal, or linseed gruel,' are usually 

 all that are necessary. 



When the envelopes have putrefied in the uterus, through delay in re- 

 moving them, and an abundant and fetid discharge flows from the vulva, 

 while the animal itself is unwell and feverish, then the case is serious, 

 and requires instant and close attention. The uterus must be cleared, 

 without delay, from its putrescent contents, and in order to accomplish 

 this, the hand must be passed into the organ, and fevery thing removed 

 which it can possibly seize. Before doing so, however, the hand and 

 arm should be well and frequently smeared with carbolized lard, butter, 

 or oil, to prevent septic infection ; if there are wounds or abrasions upon 

 them, the greatest care should be taken in this respect — indeed, it is 

 questionable whether they should be introduced at all if the skin is not 

 intact. 



When every thing has been taken away which the hand can remove, 

 then the interior of the organ should be thoroughly cleansed by the con- 

 tinuous injection of tepid water from a large syringe and tube, until the 

 fluid comes away perfectly clean. 



Very weak solutions of the before-mentioned antiputrescents should 

 also be injected, but they need not be allowed to remain. Should the 

 discharge continue, this treatment may be repeated daily until it ceases ; 

 and tonics, stimulants, and antiputrescents (as the sulphite of soda) 

 administered internally. Good food and cleanliness are also essentials 

 in treatment. 



The hands and arms of the operator should be thoroughly washed as 

 soon as passible after the uterus has been emptied ; for this purpose 

 nothing is better than carbolized soap. On the slightest sensation of 

 uneasiness in the arm, advice should be taken with regard to it, as an 

 attack of Ecthyma parturitionis is often a serious affair, and has necessi- 

 tated the amputation of fingers, and even the greater portion of the 

 arm. 



It must be remembered that cleansing and detergent injections are 

 absolutely required when the mucous membrane of the vagina or uterus 

 is inflamed, abraded, or wounded, and has been in contact with putrid 

 membranes of fluids. More particularly are they necessary in placental 

 retention in the Mare — an animal peculiarly liable to septic infection. 

 Indeed, so much is this the case, that it may be laid down as a rule that 

 manual extraction of the membranes is always indicated in the Mare, 

 when they are not expelled immediately after birth. The injection of 

 warm water will materially facilitate the operation. 



With the Mare, however, retention of the placenta does not invariably 

 lead to serious results, as several cases are on record in which it has con- 

 tinued for two days, and even longer. Binz mentions an instance in 

 which the membranes were not thrown off until the ninth day, owing to 

 adhesion of the uterus to a hernial sac. 



