568 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



ciency during the involved lactation period, loss of condi- 

 tion, delay in conception in the next breeding period, and 

 very commonly the total destruction of the reproductive 

 powers. More incurable sterility arises from that type of 

 metritis where retained fetal membranes exist than from 

 any other type of disease. It is common to hear or see 

 statements by veterinarians that under a certain formula 

 they "cure" promptly and readily all cases of retained pla- 

 centa. Just what they mean by such statements I do not 

 know. Retained placenta in the cow is a condition of great 

 peril, causing enormous losses. 



The placentitis or cotyledonitis regularly begins at the 

 cervical end of the uterus and advances toward the ovarian 

 extremity. Usually the spread is slow, but it may be very 

 rapid. Its extension is more readily observed after calving 

 than after abortion. If the uterus is examined manually a 

 few hours after calving, it is commonly found that some of 

 the placentae nearest to the cervix have already become de- 

 tached or are readily separated. Further toward the ovary 

 the cotyledons are increasingly enlarged, engorged and firm, 

 and the chorionic tufts can be detached only with difficulty 

 or not at all. The uterus is generally atonic, flaccid and col- 

 lapsed. Sometimes it is highly sensitive, and when the 

 uterus is manipulated the animal expresses pain and strains 

 severely. At first, if a calf is born, the membranes appear 

 fresh and possess no putrescent odor. Sometimes putrefac- 

 tion does not become marked until several days have elapsed, 

 after which decomposition proceeds with varying rapidity. 

 If daily examinations are made, it is ordinarily found that 

 at each time additional cotyledons have separated or are 

 separable, until finally the last to become detachable are 

 those in the apex of the gravid horn. This is not constant. 

 In some cases the infection has spread from cotyledon to 

 cotyledon with great rapidity, the placentitis is essentially 

 uniform throughout, and finally, when the membranes are 

 detachable from some cotyledons, they may be removed from 

 all. In other cases a few cotyledons at the cervical end of 

 the uterus are moderately inflamed after calving but with a 



