Post- Puerperal Infections of the Uterus 805 



lying below the floor of the genital tract. Little of value is 

 known which may be applied to control or ameliorate the 

 ravages of the infection. The phlegmon is so erodent that 

 the exudate generally makes its way into the peritoneal 

 cavity. If abscesses point toward the vagina or rectum, 

 they may be opened into either of these, but in my experi- 

 ence they fail to do this, and I have failed to identify a spot 

 where it appeared prudent to penetrate the virulent area. 

 Heavy doses of potassium iodide, quinine or both may be 

 tried, but without material hope. Prevention is dependent 

 upon careful obstetric practice which it is not proper to dis- 

 cuss here. 



3. Post-Puerperal Infections of the Uterus 



The infections of the pregnant uterus may continue into 

 the puerperal period, receive additional invasions at that 

 time, and, with these, persist indefinitely. They are un- 

 limited in variety, including essentially any bacteria com- 

 petent to induce wound infection. They may continue into 

 the next breeding season and prevent conception, or, failing 

 to do this, may imperil the life of the embryo of fetus, or 

 finally a portion of the infection may persist in the fetus at 

 birth, constituting a hazard to the new-born foal, and a part 

 continue in the uterus of the mare. The most prominent 

 types are the following : 



a. Chronic endometritis ^with mucous oi- muco-purulent 

 exudates. In such instances the uterus is enlarged, flaccid 

 and atonic. Estrum may be regular, but conception largely 

 fails or, if it occurs, the embryo or fetus will probably per- 

 ish. If the uterus is examined, the cervix is generally found 

 soft and its canal open. If the uterus is douched, some 

 muco-pus is probably washed out. 



Spontaneous recovery is uncertain, but as a rule the con- 

 dition will respond to proper handling. The principles of 

 handling are the same as for the analogous disease of the 

 cow. The commodious vulva and vagina and the freely dila- 

 table cervix render handling simpler and easier than in the 

 cow. In douching the uterus of the mare the practitioner 



