THE FEMALE GENEEATIVE ORGANS. 4G7 



this part is of a dark-purple colour, the labia being 

 small, contracted, and oedematous. The cessation of 

 secretion of milk is generally sudden and the udder 

 becomes soft and flaccid. In the later stages the pulse 

 becomes very rapid and imperceptible, the rumen dis- 

 tended with gas, the patient comatose. There are usually 

 signs of abdominal pain of rather an acute character. 

 The prostration of strength is rapid and the animal dies 

 from asthenia. 



On post-mortem examination , the cavity of the uterus is 

 found to be small and to contain chocolate-coloured fluid. 

 The diminution in size results from the thickening of the 

 walls of the organ as a result of deposits. Blood extra- 

 vasations are to be seen beneath the peritoneum which 

 exhibits the various marks of inflammation. The veins of 

 the uterus contain dark blood in a coagulated state and 

 ecchymoses are visible on many of the serous membranes, 

 and sometimes on the inner surface of the labia. Ecchy- 

 moses have been noted in the cranial membranes. 



Causes. — Such cases supervene on retention of the 

 after-birth or of the foetus. Wounds received during 

 assistance in parturition, especially in protracted cases, 

 prolapsus, inversion of the uterus, also exposure during 

 or after parturition, or over-driving also cause them, ple- 

 thoric animals being predisposed. It usually manifests its 

 first symptoms from a half to three days after parturition. 



Results, — Most frequently runs a rapid course and ends 

 in death from blood poisoning. Occasionally very rapid 

 resolution occurs, and sometimes the attack degenerates into 

 a chronic endometritis tending to flooding, leucorrhoea, and 

 dropsical accumulations in the womb. 



Treatment. — The system of the patient must be sus- 

 tained by stimulant tonics, especially the tinctures of the 

 vegetable bitters, and nourishing soft diet must be sup- 

 plied to her for sometimes the appetite remains after 

 the commencement of the attack. All debilitating in- 

 fluences must be avoided, and it is questionable whether 

 administration of cathartics is beneficial. However, we 

 deem this advisable, for it is an advantage to keep those 



