352 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



about the fifth day. Appetite and rumination and the lacteal 

 secretion have decreased; temperature is normal-. Defalcation is 

 usually a little slow ; in that case diarrhoea follows later. The 

 animal urinates frequently and in small quantities. 



This state may last three to four days. When at that 

 time the afterbirth is expelled or proper assistance given, 

 the cause of the disease disappears and the animal regains 

 its health. 



But when the decomposing mass is retained, new toxines 

 forming constantly, the amount of poison in the circulation 

 may become so great that the picture of the disease changes 

 suddenly and symptoms indicating a serious condition manifest 

 themselves. The animal appears as if paralyzed, sways behind 

 and occasionally remains in the recumbent position. A state 

 of sopor sets in, appetite and rumination being suspended. 

 The cow lies with the head to one side, producing expiratory 

 moaning. This condition may last one day or only a few hours, 

 death taking place quickly. 



Prognosis. — In the beginning such animals can be saved. 

 Whenever saprsemia is well established, prognosis must be 

 unfavorable. 



Therapeutics. — There are two indications: 1, produce 

 evacuation of the uterus; 2, to induce contraction of the 

 uterus. 



The afterbirth is removed with the hand and the uterus 

 thoroughly flushed. This treatment is not always easy. Some- 

 times it is necessary to dilate the cervix a little to pass fche 

 hand into the uterus. 



The afterbirth often resembles detritus, lying in a choco- 

 late colored fetid liquid. 



After flushing with warm water the uterus may be irrigated 

 with a 1 per cent, lysol or creolin solution. This treatment 

 often is followed by immediate success. "When sopor is present, 

 spirits of camphor or camphor dissolved in ether, subcutane- 

 ously injected, may be indicated. 



When pharyngeal paralysis is excluded an infusion of 

 coffee with ether may be recommended. 



