634 PATHOLOGY OF PAETUPJTIOX. 



Indeed, we may have simple metritis -without much constitutional 

 disturbance. 



Prognosis. 



The prognosis of parturient fever must be, in the majority of cases, 

 unfavourable, as the veterinary surgeon is only too frequently not called 

 in until too late. When infection is but slight, or when the local 

 inflammation is not very severe, then careful treatment may restore the 

 patient to health. It must not be forgotten, however, that what 

 appears at first a mild form of metritis, may become a very grave attack 

 of this fever. 



Prophylaxis. 



From what we have said with regard to the causes of parturient 

 fever and metro-peritonitis, it will be seen that in obstetrical operations 

 great care should be exercised, so as to avoid wounding the genital 

 canal, and especially the interior of the uterus. Should injury be 

 unfortunately inflicted, cleanliness and careful dressing with some such 

 antiseptic as carbolic acid, should be enforced. This is especially 

 necessary when extraction of a dead foetus or retained placenta takes 

 place. 



No person who has been handling a creature suffering from partu- 

 rient fever or any decomposing animal matters, should be allowed to 

 assist animals in parturition ; and the same rule ought to be observed 

 with regard to instruments and other obstetrical appliances, unless they 

 have been thoroughly cleansed. 



If a case of parturient fever should occur where there are other preg- 

 nant animals, or animals which have quite recently brought forth, these 

 should be immediately removed. An animal which retains a decom- 

 posing foetus or fcEtal membranes, is also dangerous among them. The 

 same remark applies to animals — such as Ewes and Cows — at pasture. 

 The soiled ground should be most carefully disinfected with lime, when 

 possible, and pregnant or parturient animals kept away from it. 



Trcatvient. 



Metritis, metro-peritonitis, and parturient fever being gi'ave disorders 

 and rapid in their progress, demand prompt and energetic treatment. 

 Indeed, it is well in all cases in which the genital canal has been 

 injured, or the placenta or dead foetus has been retained until putrefac- 

 tion has begun, to prevent evil effects by cleaning out and injecting 

 antiseptic fluids into this canal and the uterine cavity — such as solution 

 of corrosive sublimate, 1 to 2,000 — 3,000. The first thing to be attended 

 to in treatment is the condition of the uterus, and the removal of any 

 infective matters it or the vagina may contain ; as well as the disinfec- 

 tion of any wounds or abrasions in these parts. 



The genital canal should be thoroughly cleansed by injections of warm 

 water, and the wounds dressed with cresol,i or carboUc acid and olive 

 oil (1 to 10), applied by means of a brush or feather ; or salicylic acid 

 1 part, spirits of wine 20 parts, warm water 24 parts. 



After the interior of the uterus has been cleansed by injections of 



1 Cresol, cresj'l, or cresylic acid, which enters largely into the composition of Jeje's 

 Fluid, has been extolled as an excellent antiseptic, and is preferred by many Continental 

 veterinarians to corrosive sublimate and carbolic acid. It is not poisonous, like these, and 

 mixes readily with water, a 1 per cent, solution being a most powerful antiseptic. It is 

 also recommended for internal medication instead of carbolic acid, and for the same 

 reasons. 



