480 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



ing from the cervical canal into the vagina. In douching a 

 uterus, the dry structure is sometimes drawn into the fenes- 

 trum of the uterine catheter, and when the instrument is 

 withdrawn the structure is pulled out. 



In all cases of desiccated mole I have seen, there was 

 present a well marked pyo-cervicitis with slight purulent 

 endometritis. When recognized, the mole should be re- 

 moved and the associated cervicitis and endometritis 

 handled according to indications. It is evidently imprudent 

 to breed such an animal until after thorough disinfection 

 of the uterus and cervix. 



C. Death and Maceration of the Embryo or Fetus 

 As a rule, when infection advances from the ovarian end 

 of the uterus or exists in the central area and causes death 

 of the embryo or fetus, the cadaver is not expelled because 

 the uterine walls are rendered paretic. The same result is 

 attained when infection, advancing from the cervical end of 

 the uterus, proceeds so rapidly that uterine paresis is in- 

 duced quickly. The embryo or fetus then undergoes mace- 

 ration. If the mother survives, either the pyometra of fetal 

 decomposition or uterine abscessation follows. 



(a) The pyometra of embryonic or fetal decomposition is 

 comparatively common in cattle. It occurs at any time 

 after pregnancy is clinically recognizable, up to the com- 

 pletion of the ordinary duration of pregnancy. When occur- 

 ring very early, the pyometra may be quite limited. There 

 may be an inconspicuous purulent discharge, absence of 

 estrum, and non-interference with general health. It is 

 most frequently seen in heifers. In the heifer rectal pal- 

 pation generally reveals a small uterus, distended and 

 rounded by purulent contents. The uterus is ordinarily 

 free from adhesions. No trace of a fetal cadaver is recog- 

 nizable clinically. Upon post-mortem the uterus is found 

 distended with pus and containing skeletal fragments, such 

 as the tiny elongated ossification centers of the long bones. 

 I have seen these less than one-half inch long. In one case 

 the heifer had been bred about one year previously and had 



