626 PATHOLOGY OF PARTURITION. 



by lying clown and getting up, stamping, striking at the belly and turning 

 the head towards the flanks, whisking the tail, and making more or less 

 energetic expulsive efforts. Signs of pain or lameness in the hind-limbs 

 become apparent. When the uterus is more inflamed, the animal does 

 not lie down, because of the increase of pain produced by pressure on 

 the abdomen. The smaller animals, however, maintain the recumbent 

 position. 



A very marked symptom is tumefaction of the vulva — the labia of 

 which are separated — and the discharge therefrom of a fluid at first 

 serous, and either transparent or having a yellow, chocolate, or reddish 

 tinge ; then it becomes gradually thicker and more abundant, and is 

 modified according to the termination of the disease. Manual explora- 

 tion of the vagina discovers it to be very hot and sensitive, particularly 

 towards the cervix uteri ; when its lining membrane is exposed, it is 

 observed to be swollen and reddened, and sometimes there are found 

 diphtheritic ulcers and croupous deposits on the inflamed surface. In 

 some cases, when the uterus is very much swollen — and particularly in 

 lean, flat-sided animals — the inflamed organ can be felt on the right 

 side, and pressure on the abdomen often, but not invariably, causes pain. 

 Eectal exploration generally discovers the uterus larger than natural, 

 and more or less distended by gas. 



Defsecation is painful, and the faeces are hard. 



The Mare attacked by metritis or metro-peritonitis generally main- 

 tains the standing posture, with the back arched and rigid, and marked 

 indisposition to move— only lying down on the approach of death, or 

 towards convalescence ; whereas the Cow persists in lying, and this is 

 supposed to be due to paralysis of the hind-quarters, but it is more pro- 

 bably owing to debility or prostration induced by the pain. 



In Kuminants there is generally distension of the rumen with gas ; 

 there are also acid eructations, and even regurgitations. When the tem- 

 perature rises very high — and it may reach 107° to 108° Fahr. — death is 

 certain. 



In metro-peritonitis there always occurs — and sometimes very rapidly 

 — an effusion of serum into the abdominal cavity. When this is in great 

 quantity, the abdomen becomes enlarged and rounded, as if the animal 

 had been feeding freely. There is then dulness on percussion in the 

 lower part of the abdomen, contrasting markedly with the tympanitic 

 resonance of the upper regions ; while sudden pressure by means of the 

 open hand on one part while the other hand is placed at another point, 

 will cause a perceptible movement of the fluid. 



Terminations. 



The course of metritis, metro-peritonitis, and parturient septicaemia, 

 is generally very rapid, and may not occupy more than a few days — 

 usually three or four, rarely five or six days. In some cases a chronic 

 form may be met with— and particularly in simple metritis, due to 

 retention of the fa?tal membranes, and sometimes to abortion. But 

 these exceptions are few, and the disease or diseases just named may be 

 designated as serious, when we learn that death carries off more than 

 one-half of the number of animals attacked. 



Though so serious, however, in those animals which are about to 

 recover convalescence ensues very rapidly, especially with the Cow. A 

 few hours often suffice to bring alDout such a change for the better, that 

 one could scarcely believe it unless he saw it, and it might excite a doubt 



