468 Diseases of the Geiiital Organs 



the vulva. Uterine paresis ensues so quickly that there can 

 be no uterine contractions. Should expulsive efforts be 

 present, they are confined to the contractions of the abdomi- 

 nal walls. The efforts are feeble and futile. If the fetal 

 cadaver is removed, the membranes with the uterine cotyle- 

 dons, which are necrotic, come away together. The uterine 

 walls are hard and thick. Involution fails; instead, the 

 uterus collapses in response to compression by the surround- 

 ing viscera. The uterine cavity may contain an indefinite 

 amount of a thin, black or reddish-black exudate which ap- 

 pears to consist chiefly of disintegrated red blood cells. The 

 exudate is usually fetid. 



The prognosis in this group is very unfavorable. A com- 

 paratively large percentage of cows survive, but very few 

 recover. Eventually most survivors must go to the butcher 

 because of incurable sterility. The indications for handling 

 consist of the surgical evacuation of the uterus, followed by 

 the general plan for handling puerperal metritis, to be de- 

 scribed later. 



The other, and less frequent group of gangrenous metri- 

 tis of pregnancy presents the cardinal symptoms of the gan- 

 grenous metritis of the puerperal period, except for the 

 presence of the fetal cadaver with non-dilation or imperfect 

 dilation of the cervical canal. The patient is apparently 

 well and in good condition, until suddenly she appears to be 

 critically ill. The general appearance is one of great de- 

 pression bordering upon collapse. The pulse is rapid and 

 very weak. The respiration is quickened and shallow. The 

 temperature is erratic and is frequently subnormal. The 

 eyes are sunken and the cornea appears dry and opaque. 

 Tears mixed with muco-pus flow down over the cheeks and 

 face. There is a copious discharge of mucus from the nos- 

 trils and of saliva from the mouth. Severe diarrhea is usu- 

 ally present, the feces being watery, dirty black, and very 

 fetid. The animal moves only under compulsion, and then 

 totters. In some cases the cow or heifer is found down and 

 unable to rise only fifteen or twenty hours after she ap- 

 peared well. Sometimes necrotic fetal membranes protrude 



