8io l^'eterhiary Obstetrics 



Fragmentary placental retention is in a way peculiar to the 

 mare. It consists in the accidental transverse rupture of the 

 chorion of the non-gravid cornu, followed by the chorionic mass 

 from the gravid cornu and uterine body coming away, and leav- 

 ing behind the small isolated fragment in the non-gravid horn. 



This fragment is usually 8 to 12 inches in length, and its lumen 

 sufficiently large to admit of the insertion of a man's hand into 

 its cavity. 



The cause of this retention is not far to .seek. The chorionic 

 mass of the mare is very heavy, and she usually stands while the 

 membranes are being expelled. The non-gravid cornu is last to 

 expel its membranes, so that, before the chorion in the non-gravid 

 cornu becomes detached, it must support the weight of the re- 

 mainder of the membranous mass. At this time the greater mass 

 of the chorion hangs outside the vulva, and the umbilic cord 

 drags upon the ground, where it may be stepped upon and the 

 attached area of chorion torn off. Possibly the cord is still intact 

 and the foal, in trying to rise, may partly do so and fall, giving 

 a violent pull upon the cord, which is promptly transmitted to 

 the still attached strip of chorion in the non-gravid cornu, and 

 causes it to give way. 



Once this fragment becomes separated, the narrow horn has 

 little or no expulsive power and the mechanical assistance ordi- 

 narily afforded through the weight of the other portions of the 

 chorion is wanting. 



Infection of the isolated fragment quickly follows. In two to 

 five days the chorionic fragment has become well decomposed, 

 the uterine wall has become inflamed, the abdomen is very 

 tender upon pressure, the infection has spread throughout 

 the uterus (purulent endometritis), extensive purulent col- 

 lections have occurred in the uterine cavity, the uterine 

 walls are thick, hard and paretic, and parturient laminitis is 

 present. 



At about this time, if the veterinarian will carefully explore 

 the uterine cavity he will be able to recognize by touch the re- 

 tained .segment of chorion, somewhat loosened and readily de- 

 tached, putrid, fragile and extremely fetid. He will not always 

 find the piece as it may have sloughed away and pa.ssed out. In 

 one such case, as we approached the recumbent patient, she sud- 

 denly .sprang to her feet. As she did so, there came a gush of 

 pus from the vulva, in which was the tell-tale fragment of chorion. 



