84 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



uterus, since the maternal placenta is also expelled. Never- 

 theless, the views as regards the importance of lochia are 

 divided. 



Its suppression, some thought, caused in the mare, 

 laminitis, articular rheumatism (Deneubourg), also metritis, 

 peritonitis and parturient paralysis (Charlier). Later these 

 views were not accepted, and but little importance was attached 

 to lochia. Ill fact, they are only an excretion, vrhich, having 

 become superfluous after parturition in consequence of the 

 process of involution, is removed. 



We know, at the same time, that the lochia, as far as their 

 composition is concerned, are an excellent medium for micro 

 organisms. When no exploration is made and parturition runs 

 a normal course, the uterine secretion is free from germs. 

 Some may be found in the vagina and possibly in the cervix 

 uteri. The bacteria are principally streptococci, of limited 

 virulence. Whenever these organisms enter the lochia, rapid 

 multiplication and increase in virulence occurs, especially when 

 bits of decomposing tissue are in the lochia, since putrefactive 

 bacteria may make the medium especially adapted for the 

 development of streptococci. 



Lochia play an important role in the aetiology of puerperal 

 septicsemia. Schmidt-Miilheim thinks that by chemical 

 changes of the lochia, with exclusion of air, a poisonous agent 

 may be formed, resembling sausage poison, and by its resorp- 

 tion into the circulation certain phenomona are produced, to 

 which the name of " parturient paralysis " has been given. 



III. — EEGEESSIVE CHANGES OF THE UTERUS. 



After expulsion of the foetal membranes the uterine lumen 

 is already materially decreased. The cervix uteri, while con- 

 tracted, still permits the passage of the uterus to continue with- 

 out being especially noticeable ; they effect continuously a 

 decrease in the size of the organ. Two days after birth the 

 cervix is still sufficiently dilated to let two fingers enter the 

 uterus, but after four or five days this cannot be done any more. 

 It also happens that after expulsion of the after-birth the 



