DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION IN THE FEMALE 99 



of the malady in death in a large percentage of cases, but there has been a 

 notable reduction in the fatality of the disease, as arising from inflammation 

 of the uterus, since efficient irrigation of the organ with modern antiseptics 

 has been more generally practised. 



From the foregoing remarks it may be gathered that prognosis is usually 

 unfavourable; the more so that the disease is seldom early enough recog- 

 nized and professional assistance sought. 



Prophylaxis. Having regard to the causes of parturient fever, too 

 much care cannot be exercised when assisting delivery, in order to avoid 

 injury to the vaginal or uterine membranes by the operator's nails or 

 instruments, such precautions being especially necessary in the removal 

 of a dead foetus, which may be much decomposed yet comparatively 

 harmless while the genital passages remain uninjured and intact. The 

 practice of passing from a post mortem examination to a case of parturition 

 is doubtless responsible for parturient fever in some instances, and no 

 person who has been so engaged for at least twenty-four hours previously 

 should take part in delivering a mare, and then only after a complete 

 change of clothing and thorough cleansing and disinfection of the 

 hands. 



No other brood mare should be permitted in the same building with 

 an animal suffering from the disease under consideration, and the most 

 thorough disinfection of the apartment should be undertaken at the earliest 

 opportunity. 



To remove or neutralize any septic matters in the uterus will be our 

 first care, and this will be best effected by injections of warm solutions 

 of such agents as carbolic acid, chinosol, lysol, or permanganate of potash 

 in suitable proportions. 



Visible wounds in the vagina, incurred in the forcible removal of the 

 fcfitus, will be dressed with some rather more active agent than that 

 employed for injection; a one-in-ten carbolic acid and olive-oil lotion being 

 found well adapted to the purpose. 



As to the administration of remedies intended to act through the 

 medium of the circulation, these will be chosen for their known action 

 as antiseptics and febrifuges, diminishing the power of the poison circulat- 

 ing in the system, and arresting the rapid consumption of tissue which 

 results from continued high temperature. Among the older agents enjoy- 

 ing a reputation in this respect may be mentioned the hyposulphites of 

 soda and potash. Carbolic acid, deprived of its causticity by solution in 

 glycerine and free dilution, holds a mediate position between the before- 

 named drugs and the more recent additions to the pharmacopoeia, as saly- 

 cilic acid and its compounds. Large doses of quinine are perhaps more 



