630 PATHOLOGY OF PARTURITION. 



abscesses appearing at the joints, and inflammation of the feet super- 

 vening on parturition. Thrombosis of the lymphatics has rarely been 

 observed in animals ; it is noticed within the inflamed spot. " The 

 coagulated lymph either uniformly fills the vessel, or gives the appear- 

 ance of a string of beads. Sometimes, also, single larger dilatations of 

 lymphatic vessels are seen. The thrombosis may be due to the direct 

 influence of the infecting matter, but more frequently it is caused by 

 the inflammation of the connective tissue around the vessel. The pro- 

 ducts also of the inflammation of this tissue have a tendency to coagu- 

 late, and the contents of the vessels participate in the process," 

 Sometimes the lymphatics are filled vpith pus [Purulent lymphangitis), 

 and the neighbouring glands are swollen andsoftened. This thrombosis 

 of the lymphatics has been considered a favourable circumstance, since 

 the occluded vessels are prevented from conveying the infecting 

 materials : the inflammatory process being at least delayed at the 

 nearest group of lymphatic glands. The lymphangitis is therefore con- 

 sidered an accidental change, which usually remains limited to the 

 diseased part, and may disappear ; and it has been remarked that it 

 rarely extends further towards the thoracic duct, unless there are other 

 very considerable changes. 



Sometimes the thrombi in the vessels of the uterus soften ; so that, 

 in cutting into the walls of the organ, they appear like small abscesses, 

 varying in size from a pea to that of a nut. They can only be dis- 

 tinguished from abscesses by their smooth walls, since the afferent and 

 efl'erent vessels cannot always be found. 



In intense parametritis, with extensive infiltration of the subserous 

 connective tissue, other organs may be involved, and especially those 

 which are dirfectly connected by means of this tissue — such as the 

 ovaries. The peritonitis may extend through the diaphragm to 

 the pleurae, or the inflammation in both membranes may be due to 

 ichorrhsemia. 



In those eases in which thrombi in the bloodvessels have become 

 detached and broken up, the fragments may be carried in the circula- 

 tion, and give rise to embolism and haemorraghic infarcts, or to meta- 

 static abscesses in such parenchymatous organs as the lungs, liver, 

 spleen, kidneys, etc. 



In the most rapidly fatal cases, in which death is due to septic para- 

 metritis, there is no time for fibrinous exudation, and there are 

 appearances not unlike those observed in splenic fever. The blood is 

 dark-coloured and non-coagulable, ecchymoses are found in various 

 organs and tissues, and there is a marked tendency to rapid putrefac- 

 tion. The elementary structures of organs show the commencement 

 of an acute inflammatory process — the fine granular infiltration 

 or "cloudy swelling," fatty degeneration, or even disintegration of 

 cells. 



It has been already stated that there is nothing exceptional in par- 

 turient fever, and so far as its pathological anatomy is concerned, the 

 same alterations are observed in non-parturient subjects. Parturition 

 only predisposes the animal to its occurrence, from the fact that there 

 are wounds and bruises inflicted on the soft tissues of the genital canal ; 

 that there is present a quantity of matters — fluid and solid — either de- 

 composed or decomposing ; and that the bloodvessels and lymphatics 

 of the uterus at this time are in a favourable condition for the reception 

 and action of this septic material. In animals which have succumbed 



