Pyometra 



595 



parts of the pus are precipitated in the lower portions of 

 the uterine horns while the more liquid parts escape through 

 the cervix and vulva. Thus there is formed a very dense, in- 

 tensely fetid, cheesy mass. 



The discharge of pus may be constant or intermittent. 

 This is dependent chiefly upon the degree of atony in the 

 uterine walls and the obstruction offered by the cervix. 

 The pus from the uterus, passing over the cervical mucosa, 

 inevitably causes cervicitis, which in turn aggravates the 



Fig. 184 — Pyometra with Granular Mucosa. 

 U, Uterine wall ; M, mucosa coarsely granular or nodular; C, cotyledon. 



pyometra. The effect upon the cervix varies. Sometimes 

 the cervix becomes atonic and flabby with its canal dilated. 

 The pus then escapes freely from the uterus whenever the 

 uterine walls contract, or whenever the uterus is com- 

 pressed by contiguous viscera while the cow is recumbent. 

 In these cases there is often an escape of a large volume of 

 pus each time the animal lies down. When on the contrary 

 the cervix retains its muscular energy or, as shown in Fig. 

 185, extensive cervical sclerosis is present, the pus is re- 



