296 DISEASES OF THE UTERUS 



larger animals. However, it should be attempted as good 

 results often follow thorough irrigation. Boric acid (2 per 

 cent.) ; creolin (1 per cent.) ; lysol (1 per cent.) ; or theropogen 

 (2 per cent.) may be used as follows: A small metallic 

 catheter or flexible human male catheter is inserted into the 

 uterus and a rubber tube and funnel attached to the free 

 end. The antiseptic solution is allowed to flow into the 

 uterus by gravity. After \ to 1 pint of the solution is intro- 

 duced the tube should be lowered and the fluid allowed to 

 flow out. The catheter is introduced into each cornua. 

 This treatment should be applied every three or four hours 

 to keep up the antiseptic action, to remove the exudate and 

 to prevent absorption and the resulting general symptoms. 



Small doses of ergot or other ecbplics should be adminis- 

 tered once daily to stimulate the uterus and to hasten its 

 involution. 



Surgical.— In severe forms of acute metritis, and in cases 

 where medicinal treatment does not relieve, it is advisable 

 to remove the uterus and ovaries by performing laparo- 

 hystero-ooph orectomy . 



Chronic Metritis. — Pyometra.— Definition.— A chronic in- 

 flammation of the uterus, characterized by the formation 

 and collection of pus in the uterine cavity. In case the 

 cervical canal becomes closed, retaining the pus, the uterus 

 may be converted into a veritable abscess. Chronic metritis 

 occurs quite frequently in the bitch; less commonly in cats. 

 It makes its appearance in most cases following parturition, 

 at any period in the animal's life, but may be found in females 

 that have never given birth to young. 



Etiology. — (a) Commonly a sequel to acute metritis, the 

 acute symptoms disappearing, leaving behind bacteria of a 

 low virulence, which keep up a constant irritation to the 

 mucosa resulting in chronic inflammation with pus formation. 



(b) Infection gaining entrance to some portion of the 

 reproductive organs which may find its way to the uterus 

 direct, or by extension of the process from other parts or 

 adjacent tissues, leading to a primary inflammation of 

 chronic type. 



(c) Following parturition it frequently happens that a 



