METRITIS, METRO-PERITONITIS, ETC. 649 



at this time are in a favorable condition for the reception and action of 

 this septic material. In animals which have succumbed after the opera- 

 tion of ovariotomy, similar pathological alterations are found. 



With regard to chronic metritis, various changes have been observed. 

 In some cases the uterus has contained a considerable quantity of fetid 

 pus, or muco-purulent matter of a white or grey hue ; while the mucous 

 membrane has been grey or dark-colored, thickened, and softened, and 

 the cotyledons infiltrated, softened, or even indurated ; the vaginal mu- 

 cous membrane is also infiltrated and indurated in some cases. 



I. Robinson (Saint-Cyr, (?/. «V., p. 686) reports the case of a Cow which brought 

 forth a calf, naturally and without assistance, three weeks after purchase, and the fcetal 

 envelopes were expelled in the ordinary way at the usual time. The calf was strong and 

 lively, but the Cow did not completely recover from the effects of parturition, but 

 remained unwell, lost its appetite and condition, and soon discharged from the vulva — 

 which remained swollen — a white fluid that, at a later period, v.as streaked with blood. 

 When Robinson saw it, the animal was in the last stage of emaciation ; the pulse was 

 small and 72 beats per minute, the surface of the body was colder than in health, and 

 there was little appetite, though thirst was insatiable. By the vulva a purulo-sanguino- 

 lent fluid escaped, and though the urine was ordinarily transparent, yet sometimes its 

 mingling with this discharge rendered it turbid. Chronic metritis was diagnosed, and, 

 in consequence of the condition of the animal, slaughter was recommended. This 

 advice was not adopted, however, and the Cow died in a week afterwards. 



At the autopsy the whole mucous surface of the uterus was found ulcerated, and the 

 walls of the organ considerably thickened, as were also those of the bladder and 

 ureters — the latter particularly. The kidneys were enormous in size — nearly four times 

 larger than in health ; in them were several abscesses, containing thick yellow pus 

 mixed with a little blood. 



It is possible that, as Saint-Cyr thinks, there had been uterine phlebitis, and some 

 fragments of the thrombus becoming detached from the inflamed veins and carried by 

 the blood, had, by a reflux movement, reached the divisions of the renal veins. There 

 they would give rise to capillary obstructions, infarct, inflammation, and all those acci- 

 dents which accompany embolism. In this way the inflammation and abscesses in the 

 kidney would be produced. 



2. Gray {Veterinary yournal, ]\\\\e, 1877) describes the case of Cow two years old, 

 which, some time after being put to the bull, strained at times and ejected small quanti- 

 ties of blood. In two months the animal was observed to be in oestrum, and was again 

 sent to the bull. The symptoms became greatly aggravated ; there was a continuous 

 discharge from the vulva of a chocolate-colored fluid, which had somewhat the consist- 

 ency of cream, and the animal strained frequently. Loss of condition ensued. On ex- 

 amination the pulse was found to be more than 80 beats per minute, external tempera- 

 ture normal, conjunctivae pale, and general expression excited and anxious. The blood- 

 discharges increased in quantity and frequency, and in another month the anaemia and 

 debility were so great that the Cow could not stand ; death took place soon after, v All 

 the organs, with the exception of the uterus, were found healthy. This contained 

 about two quarts of a sero-sanguineous fluid, and externally the organ presented the 

 appearance and volume natural to the third month of gestation, and as if the fostus had 

 been in the left cornu. The os uteri was dilated, and protruding from it was an elon- 

 gated piece of blood-clot about an inch in diameter ; this was merely a portion of a very 

 large clot, weighing more than twelve pounds, and lying in the cavity of the organ. This 

 mass of clot was in many places firmly adherent to the mucous membrane ; at other 

 points it was breaking up. It was surmised that abortion had occurred, and that this 

 led to ulcerative endometritis and haemorrhage. 



Causes. 



The predisposing cause of metritis, metro-peritonitis, and purturient 

 fever, is the parturient or puerperal state. It is true that septic infection, 

 with its train of symptoms, may occur at other periods and from various 

 causes ; but metritis and its complications are, as a rule, it may be said, 

 observed only after abortion or parturition. 



The occasional causes of metritis, and therefore of metro-peritonitis and 



