Diseases of the Generative Organs. 135 



will be found exceedingly sensitive and hot. Fulness of the 

 abdomen, and general inflammatory fever. The animal is 

 prostrate," but afraid to lie down. Vomiting is usually 

 present, and sometimes a purulent discharge, which becomes 

 foetid as the disease proceeds, issues from the vagina, the 

 labia of which are tumefied and hot, and the animal 

 frequently endeavours to urinate. If metritis occurs at or 

 after parturition, the secretion of milk is generally sus- 

 pended. In such a case there is a considerable tendency 

 for the inflammation to extend to the peritoneum (metro^ 

 peritonitis), in which the pain is more diffused, and peri- 

 tonitic symptoms are manifested. 



Treatment. — The patient should be confined to a com- 

 fortable, soft bed ; lying on hard, bare or cold floors is ex- 

 cessively injurious. 



Opiates, containing i to 3 grains of the drug, with, it 

 there is much prostration, brandy and water, and warm 

 baths to the hind parts as far as the loins, or local fermenta- 

 tions, are the measures most advisable. A weak watery 

 infusion of opium, tepid, may with benefit be injected in 

 the uterus, but it is necessary to observe that extreme care 

 should be used in inserting the end of the pipe within the 

 mouth of the inflamed organ ; indeed, when the inflamma- 

 tion is excessive, it is better to be content with gentle 

 vaginal injection. Foetor may be overcome by injections 

 of a weak solution of carbolic acid or chloride of zinc. 



In severe cases, counter-irritation to the loins and abdo- 

 men may also be adopted. 



The bowels should be gently moved with castor-oil, aided 

 by enemas. 



The diet should consist of liquid, nourishing and muci- 

 laginous food. Small doses of iron are serviceable when 

 the acute symptoms have abated. Quinine is also useful. 



