MACERATION 131 



sionally noticed, so that the veterinarian is called only on 

 account of the vaginal discharge. A local examination reveals 

 the facts. The os uteri is somewhat dilated, two or three 

 fingers may enter when necessary, also the hand by a few rotary 

 movements. The bones of the foetus are found in the uterus 

 surrounded by thick cream-like pus ; the mucosa of the uterus 

 is roughened and the walls a little contracted. In some cases 

 the os uteri is closed and a few bones are found in the vagina. 

 It happens occasionally that the cervix uteri opens a little to 

 expel some portions of the foetus. This slight dilatation prob- 

 ably corresponds with a period of oestrum, which may appear 

 regularly with such patients. According to Franck, conception 

 is possible. 



In other cases the process of maceration is complicated by 

 the absorption of putrid materials. The purulent inflammation, 

 which migrates from the mucosa to the muscularis and serosa, 

 caused thrombosis of the veins of the uterus. The uterus is 

 also predisposed to a generalization of this process on account 

 of the reticulated lymph system between its longitudinal and 

 circular layers. 



The thrombi decompose after invasion of the pathogenic 

 bacteria, enter the circulation and may produce a metastatic 

 pneumonia or a polyarthritis pysemica, which has been ob- 

 served several times. 



Prognosis. — The course is usually favorable when the pro- 

 cess of maceration has advanced to such a degree that perfect 

 dissolution has taken place, the bones enclosed in a mass of 

 pus, some pieces already discharged from the uterus, without 

 disturbing the general health of the cow; a perfect recovery is 

 then possible. At the same time, phenomena indicating the 

 resorption of putrid material into the circulation make the 

 prognosis unfavorable. Such symptoms are : Arthritis of the 

 tarsus, carpus or femoro-tibial articulation and metastatic 

 pneumonia, usually of a chronic course, characterized by ema- 

 ciation, cough, etc. 



Therapeutics. — When the attendant or owner has observed 

 a purulent vaginal discharge for some time, possibly the expul- 



