METiiiris, METRn-rEiiiTuyrns, AM) PAirrrniEXT fkvki:. 035 



warm water, an injection of carbolic acid solution (1 to 20 — 50) boro- 

 glycerine (1 to 20—40 of water), or the above solution of corrosive 

 sublimate, should be made every day, and the wounds, if accessible, 

 dressed at the same time. Permanganate of potash (1 to .00 of water) 

 may be employed to inject into the genital canal, when the disease is 

 less acute. 



All tluids injected should be warm — 80° to 100' Fahr. ; and solution 

 of opium or extract of belladonna may be advantageously employed in 

 the uterine injections, to allay pain and straining. 



The external treatment must be hot fomentations, cataplasma, or 

 counter-irritation to the surface of the abdomen — or all three combined. 

 The smaller animals may have linseed-meal poultices applied, or be 

 immersed in hot water. 



With regard to the constitutional treatment of puerperal septicaemia, 

 this must be directed towards neutralizing the effects of the septic matter 

 by the exhibition of antiseptic remedies, and reducing the high tempera- 

 ture ; as a long continuation of this leads to rapid waste of the tissues, 

 and is fraught with danger to the system. 



There is no specific remedy with which to neutralize the action of the 

 septic matters in the blood and tissues. The sulpliites of soda and 

 potash have been recommended, as well as sulphurous acid. These 

 appear to have acted favourably in some cases. Carbonate of soda and 

 permanganate of potash have also been well spoken of, as well as lai'ge 

 doses of quinine. Carbolic and salicylic acids are now most in repute, 

 and are given in small and frequent doses. 



If there is a tendency to constipation, a purgative maybe administered; 

 indeed, unless special circumstances forbid it, a purgative may prove 

 most serviceable in assisting in the removal of the septic matter through 

 the intestinal canal. Dogs which liave been poisoned by this matter, 

 often recover after profuse and fcctid diarrhoea ; and a purgative gener- 

 ally reduces the temperature. 



In acute cases, in order to obtain the more prompt action of anti- 

 septics, it has been proposed to introduce them directly into the circula- 

 tion by intravenous injection. Solutions of cresol, carbolic acid, and 

 iodine have been employed successfully ; and in woman a desperate 

 case has recovered after the intravenous injection of liquor ammoniac 

 (1 to 3). 



As a last resource, and to substitute healthy for poisoned blood, trans- 

 fusion has been also practised in woman, and with good results. The 

 experiment is worth trying in the parturient fever of animals. 



With regard to the diminution of temperature, quinine has been highly 

 lauded. Bleeding is certainly not to be recommended. If the tempera- 

 ture continuously remains very high, then the application of cold water 

 to the surface of the body is indicated. The cold water may be applied 

 to the larger animals by means of cold wet sheets wrapped round the 

 body, and kept cold for an hour or two at a time by pouring on water, 

 at intervals, by means of a small vessel. Smaller animals may be put 

 into a gradually-cooled bath. 



The skin must be well dried after the application of the cold water, 

 and with the larger animals a dry blanket should be thrown over the 

 body. Food should be sloppy and laxative. The stable must be kept 

 scrupulously clean and well ventilated. 



Tonics and good food must be allowed when recovery is taking place, 

 and the scquche of the disease treated according to their indications. 



