654 P^ THOL OG Y OF PA R TURITION. 



Indeed, we may have si.nple metritis without much constitutional dis- 

 turbance. 



Prognosis. 



The prognosis of parturient fever must be, in the majority of cases, un- 

 favorable, as the veterinary surgeon is only too frequently not called in 

 until too late. When infection is but slight, or when the local inflamma- 

 tion is not very severe, then careful treatment may restore the patient to 

 health. It must not be forgoten, however, that what appears at first, a 

 a mild form of metritis, may become a very grave attack of ichorraemia, 

 or even septikaemia. 



Prophylaxis. 



From what we have said with regard to the causes ot parturient fever 

 and metro-peritonitis, it will seen that in obsterical operations great care 

 should be exercised, so as to avoid wounding the genital canal, and 

 especially the interior of the uterus, the vagina, or the vulva. Should 

 injury be unfortunately inflicted, cleanliness, and careful dressing with 

 some such disinfectant as carbolic acid, should be enforced. This is 

 especially necessary when extraction of a dead foetus or retained placenta 

 takes place. 



No person who has been handling a creature suffering from parturient 

 fever or any decomposing animal matters, should be allowed to assist 

 animals in parturition \ and the same rule should be observed with regard 

 to instruments and other obstetrical means, unless these have been 

 thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. 



If a case of parturient fever should occur where there are other pregnant 

 animals, or animals which have quite recently brought forth, these should 

 be immediately removed. An animal which retains a decomposing foetus 

 or foetal membranes, is also dangerous among these. The same remark 

 applies to animals — such as Ewes and Cows — at pasture. The soiled 

 ground should be most carefully disinfected with lime, and pregnant or 

 parturient animals should be kept away from it. 



Treatment, 



Metritis, metro-peritonitis, and parturient fever being grave disorders, 

 and rapid in their progress, demand prompt, rational, and energetic treat- 

 ment. The first thing to be attended to is the condition of the uterus, 

 and the removal of any infective matters it or the vagina may contain ; 

 as well as the disinfection of any wounds or abrasions in these parts. 



The genital canal should be thoroughly cleansed by injections of warm 

 water, and the wounds dressed with carbolic acid and olive oil (i to lo), 

 applied by means of a brush or feather ; or salicylic acid, i part; spirits of 

 wine, 20 parts ; warm water, 24 parts. 



After the interior of the uterus has been cleansed by injections of warm 

 water, an injection of carbolic acid solution (i to 20-50) should be made 

 every day, and the wounds, if accessible, must be dressed at the same 

 time. 



Permanganate of potash (i to 50 of water) may be employed to inject 

 into the genital canal, when the disease is less acute. 



With regard to constitutional treatment, this must be directed towards 

 neutralizing the effects of the septic matter by the exhibition of antiseptic 

 remedies, and reducing the high temperature ; as a long continuation of 



