872 Veterinary Obstetrics 



I. AcuTK Metritis. 



Foremost among the puerperal infections, from the standpoint 

 of frequency and seriousness, stand the acute infections of the 

 uterus. The infection ma}^ involve simply the mucous mem- 

 brane of the uterus, to constitute endometritis. When involv- 

 ing only the mucosa of the organ, it may be largel}^ or wholly 

 confined to the placenta. In the mare, so long as the infection 

 is confined to the mucosa, it is also limited to the placenta, and 

 might therefore be called placentitis with equal propriety. In 

 endometritis of the cow, with her multiple placentae, the infec- 

 tion may be confined chiefly or wholly to the placentae or that 

 part of the mucosa which goes to elaborate the placentae. Here 

 again we might justly apply the term placentitis, but in this 

 instance it is probable also that those portions of the mucosa 

 between the cotyledons may become involved to .some extent, 

 constituting more strictly an endometritis. 



If the infection is of such virulence that it pa.sses beyond the 

 mucosa and, penetrating the muscular walls, involves the peri- 

 toneal surface of the uterus, thus including the entire uterine 

 wall, w^e designate it as metro-peritonitis. The difference in 

 designation is consequently one intended to indicate the degree 

 of extension and the consequent difference in the gravity of the 

 disease. 



The causes of acute metritis consist of any of those elements 

 which may favor the introduction into the uterine cavity, and 

 the growth there, of disease-producing bacteria. 



Standing at the head of cau.ses of metritis, is the retention of 

 the fetal envelopes. Whenever the normal period at which these 

 should become separated and expelled has passed b)', without such 

 expulsion, they immediately constitute a .source of danger for 

 the well-being of the animal. They promptly cease to constitute 

 a part of the living tissues, the circulation of blood w^ithin them 

 ceases, and they furnish a favorable medium in which bacteria 

 may multiply. In most cases the membranes extend from the 

 uterus out through the vagina and vulva, where they become 

 soiled with feces and other highly infected material, and consti- 

 tute an open highway, along which the bacteria may rapidly 

 travel as well as multiply, until they reach the uterine cavity. 

 The presence of the membranes keeps open the cervix of the 



