350 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



the uterus a subcutaneous injection of extractum secalis (6 g.) 

 is indicated. The internal administration of camphor with oil 

 of turpentine also gives good results. In cases of long stand- 

 ing potassium iodide may be tried. 



When abscesses form in the excavatio recto-vaginalis, 

 occasionally the case, they are to be punctured with a trocar 

 through the upper vaginal wall. To evacuate the pus, the hand 

 passed into the rectum presses upon the abscess. 



7. — Puerperal Intoxication. 



(a) INTOXICATION DUE TO RETAINED LOCHLE. 



When the process of involution of the uterus is retarded, 

 lochise accumulate in the uterine cavity. The latter may be 

 aseptic, but obtain properties by chemical changes of great 

 moment to the organism. 



^Etiology. — Following the birth of twins, where the expul- 

 sion of the afterbirth was normal, as well as in fat cows, a 

 retarded involution of the uterus with an aseptic uterine 

 secretion is occasionally observed. In these cows the 

 contractility of the uterus has been diminished by fatty 

 infiltration. 



Parturition was absolutely normal, so that no exploration 

 occurred. The lochise, consisting mainly of uterine milk, blood 

 and mucus, constitute an albuminous fluid, from which toxic 

 agents maybe formed by chemical changes, which are absorbed 

 by the uterine mucous membrane and may give rise to symp- 

 toms of disease. 



Symptoms. — Two or three days after normal birth the 

 owner observes that the cow is dull, appetite is a little less, 

 rumination is irregular, lacteal secretion gradually deoreases. 

 This state often persists several days before veterinary aid is 

 requested, because the symptoms do not worry the owner. 

 Besides these symptoms he notices slow defecation and hard 

 faeces, absence of lochia! excretions. Temperature, pulse and 

 respiration are normal. 



