122 CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY AND 



would only be the result of some mechanical injury 

 from without that bacteria could reach the organ. 

 Abortion is another prolific source of endometritis and 

 bacterial invasions, owing to the fact of the abortion 

 bacillus appearing to exert a lowering effect upon the 

 protective elements of the womb, and so predisposing it in 

 such a manner to the easy development of secondary 

 infections. The womb also is prevented from closing 

 naturally in many cases owing to a retained placenta, which 

 putrefies, giving an increased impetus to further bacterial 

 invasions. And so we find after abortions, that bacterial 

 infections are nearly always mixed. 



Some of these infections, either due to the great activity 

 of the bacteria themselves and the potency of their toxins, 

 or the weakened bactericidal power of the animal itself, 

 run a very rapid and highly fatal course, death taking place 

 in a few hours from septic infection, or even intoxication. 

 In cases such as these the vaccine-therapist can do but 

 little. 



When the condition runs a more subacute course, much 

 can be done, however, by using suitable vaccines. 



Where the infection is caused by septic hands, slips, 

 instruments, etc., during the course of a difficult parturition, 

 it is invariably a mixed one, the streptococci, staphylococci, 

 B. coli communis, etc., being the more common offenders. 



To ascertain the causative bacteria, we make it a practice 

 to thoroughly wash the vulva and buttocks with soap 

 and an antiseptic ; we then insert the hand and arm, 

 carrying into the womb a sterile test-tube which has been 

 cut down to 2 inches in length. By drawing the mouth 

 along the mucosa close to the neck of the uterus, we obtain 

 sufficient materia morhis for examination. This is plugged 

 with a sterile rubber cork, and marked "No. 1." In like 

 manner another tube is carried in, to abstract material in 

 the body of the womb, and marked " No. 2 "; while with 

 a third tube material is taken as far forward as one's hand 

 will reach, and marked " No. 3." 



