Puerperal Diseases of the Uterus 



555 



complicate, and in many instances doubtless aggravate the 

 disease already present. 



Septic metritis, as seen during the puerperal period, com- 

 monly follows tardy parturition. There is metritis present 

 during pregnancy which serves to cause a varying degree 

 of uterine paresis. The expulsion of the fetus is tardy, re- 

 quiring five to ten or more hours. Afterward the fetal 

 membranes frequently remain incarcerated. The clinical 

 evidences of endometritis, as described in the previous arti- 

 cle, are present. The endometritis, instead of undergoing 

 rapid improvement as is commonly observed, becomes ag- 

 gravated. The exudate in the uterus increases in volume 

 and becomes fetid. It loses its bright scarlet color with the 



Fig. 179 — Septic Metritis, Uterus of Cow, with Great 



Thickening of Walls. 



C, Cervical canal ; U, uterine cavity ; A, enlarged, thickened uterine 



arteries ; B, uterine body walls ; UC, uterine cornua. 



