VACCINE-THERAPY 127 



Another common illustration of septic infection and 

 intoxication is to be found in cows after parturition in that 

 condition known as " septic metritis/' As already ex- 

 plained under the heading of endometritis, bacterial 

 infection takes place through inoculation caused by septic 

 hands on the part of the operator, slips, instruments, 

 injuries after parturition, and retained placenta, par- 

 ticularly after abortion. 



Here the B. coli, streptococci, and staphylococci play an 

 important role. In advanced cases of this kind we have 

 invariably noticed, especially in heifers, in addition to the 

 characteristic septic chocolate-coloured discharge from the 

 womb, a slimy mucoid discharge from the nostrils, accom- 

 panied by a persistent bronchial cough. From this dis- 

 charge the writer has isolated streptococci and diplococci, 

 and has been struck by the smallness of the chains, both 

 from the bronchial and uterine discharges, compared with, 

 for example, the streptococcal chains one sees in strangles 

 or in ordinary wound infections. 



We cannot think the pulmonary streptococci had their 

 primary origin in the uterus ; much more probable is it 

 they are normal inhabitants of the pulmonary niucosse, and 

 it is only as the result of debility, caused by the uterine 

 infection, that they become pathogenic and active. Their 

 presence in any case increases the liability of a fatal issue, 

 and the practitioner has to be called in very early if he 

 hopes to bring about a recovery. 



Such a case requires most careful attention. A stock 

 vaccine must be given at once, preparatory to the making 

 of a suitable autogenous one ; and in a case similar to the 

 one cited above, a mixed vaccine composed of streptococci, 

 B. coli, staphylococci, and diplococci should be given. If 

 the case is a bad one, we invariably give a streptococcal 

 serum in addition. 



Local treatment, of course, must be attended to, and 

 here, again, we must most strongly deprecate the use of 

 strong antiseptics. In the case of a deep punctured wound, 



