886 Veterinary Obstetrics 



methods which have been in vogue. This affection is by far 

 most frequently seen in those mares which have at some pre- 

 vious time been bred, and have then been allowed to go without 

 further attempts at breeding. It is consequently more common, 

 according to our observations, in localities where few horses are 

 rai.sed, than in those districts where most mares are regularly 

 used for breeding purpo.ses. 



In addition to the general causes of chronic metrites, indi- 

 cated above, it is not rare to observe chronic metritis in the mare, 

 in ca.ses where, because of apparent sterility, the stallion groom 

 has attempted to " open " the uterus with a view to inducing the 

 mare to conceive. The groom has forced his dirty hand through 

 the cervix of the uterus in a rough manner, wounding the organ 

 more or less seriously and depositing in the lacerations or abra- 

 sions, abundant infection from his dirty hand. 



The symptoms of chronic metritis in the mare consist usually 

 of a general appearance of indifferent or poor health, with some 

 emaciation and want of power of endurance. Accompanying 

 these systemic disturbances, there usually appears from time to 

 time a discharge of pus from the vulva. This discharge is .some- 

 times constant, and dribbles away, especially when the mare is 

 moved rapidly upon the road or when she is lying down. If it is 

 at all constant, the tail and thighs will generally be found soiled. 

 In many cases the discharge occurs only at very wide intervals, 

 and apparently proceeds from the over-disten.sion of the uterus, 

 which causes the cervix uteri to dilate and brings about the es- 

 cape of a large portion of the contents. In these cases the dis- 

 ease behaves somewhat as an abscess. The uterine cavity be- 

 comes filled with pus, the cervical canal opens and permits the 

 escape of the pus, then closes, and the abscess cavity again be- 

 comes distended. Sometimes the evacuation of pus is preceded 

 by symptoms of colic, and expulsive efforts. 



The amount of pus which may be discharged at one time varies 

 between a few pints and four or five gallons. The contents 

 usually present the ordinary appearances of pus from an abscess, 

 with the admixture of more or less mucus. In many cases it is 

 comparatively free from odor, while in others it is quite fetid. 

 It is usually yellowish or bluish-white, or may be of a dirty, 

 grayish color, and in one case was black, somewhat flocculent, 



