226 ]^eteri}iarr Obstetrics 



after the operation there is observed, especially when the animal 

 is recumbent, an astonishingly abundant, purulent vaginal dis- 

 charge. It should be seen that this drains away promptly and that 

 the floor, where the cow lies, and the gutter are well disinfected. 

 As soon as the discharge ceases, which is usually after a very 

 brief time, the uterus is small and empty and estrum often appears 

 as early as the 4th day, still more commonly between the 4th and 

 loth days, after the dislodgement of the yellow bodies, and 

 tends afterwards to recur regularly. Upon the second return of 

 estrum it is advisable to permit her to be served and conception 

 usually follows. 



Exceptions to the type of cases described are seen in those cases 

 in which, after the di.slodgement of the corpora lutea, the patient 

 shows pain, evidently the result of uterine contractions, and, for 

 the first six hours after the operation, shows loss of appetite and 

 slight tympauy. With the advent of the vaginal discharge, 

 these symptoms promptly disappear. In more tardy contraction 

 of the uterus the profuse vaginal discharge extends beyond a 

 week and, in the place of the dislodged yellow body, a second 

 fresh one as large as a hickorynut develops which, in the interest 

 of the evacuation of the uterus, is again to be eliminated and 

 indeed this operation should be repeated as long as is needful and 

 until the volume of the uterus returns to, and remains, normal. 



In other cases, as a consequence of the prolonged treatment 

 with repeated massage of the ovaries and uterus, pain and 

 chronic purulent endometritis (whites) are shown by the patient, 

 accompanied by slight emaciation. Nevertheless normal estrum 

 eventually appears and conception takes place. 



In one cow with recurrent pyometra and dense ovaries with- 

 out 3'ellow bodies, we crushed the right ovary per vaginam, upon 

 which, after 18 hours, a complete evacuation of the uterus oc- 

 curred and, after 8 days, normal estrum followed. 



Besides the dislodgement of corpora lutea, the kneading and 

 massage of the ovaries and the gentle pressure and stroking of 

 the uterus, I have, upon the advice of my colleague, Anderegg, 

 in Meringen, administered internally for pyometra, bicarbonate 

 of soda in do.ses of 150-200 grammes a day as an emmenagogue. 

 The results from this plan w^ere indeed superior to the irriga- 

 tions but not so prompt as by operative interference. After a 

 few days our cows showed a profuse vaginal di.scharge and evi- 



