332 BOYINE OBSTETRICS 



pregnant horn. When the cervix uteri is closed, an attempt 

 is made to open it by a rotary movement of the fingers, event- 

 ually passing the whole hand. This is usually successful with 

 some persistence. It also happens that the secundines are 

 detached and lie loosely in the uterus. They are removed by 

 iand and the uterus flushed with warm antiseptic solutions. 



A great number of antiseptics are employed in irrigations 

 of the uterus ; for instance : acidum boricum, acidum carboli- 

 cum, lysol, creolin, kalium permanganate, pyoctanin. The 

 latter are less agreeable on account of their intensive color 

 imparting itself to hands and arms. 



Bichloride of mercury should not be used in the cow for 

 this purpose; also acidum carbolicum is questionable on 

 account of its penetrating or transmitting itself to the milk. 

 At the same time it may produce intoxications when used 

 freely (Van Leeuwen). 



Many medicaments exist, employed with a view to expel 

 the secundinse. But twenty years ago herba sabinsB, kalium 

 carbonicum, borax and flores chamomille were still used. 

 They exert no action upon the uterus. Extractum hydrastis 

 canadensis fluidum, recommended for this same purpose not 

 so many years ago, also proved itself of no value (Albrecht). 



5. — Endometritis. 



By endometritis is understood an inflammation of the 

 mucosa and submucosa of the uterus. This disease is almost 

 exclusively met with after parturition and during the process 

 of involution. 



(a) ACUTE OATAKRHAL ENDOMETRITIS. 



Etiology.— lji]\iYies of the mucosa during birth as they 

 may occur while correcting a malposition. It is more readily 

 produced when manipulation with instruments in the uterus 

 takes place, which have not been cleansed previously, or when 

 cords not previously softened are employed. As long as the 

 foetal waters have not been entirely discharged the danger of 



