72 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



retained or adherent placenta is present. The tendency to 

 retention of the fetal membranes, when placentitis is pres- 

 ent, logically increases as the size and complexity of the 

 chorionic tufts advance. Thus retention of the fetal mem- 

 branes is commonest and most severe in the cow, and in- 

 creases in severity with the advancement in pregnancy. It 

 rarely occurs during the first four months of pregnancy, but 

 becomes increasingly common as the duration of pregnancy 

 increases. The simple, short, chorionic tufts of solipeds 

 tend to obviate retention of fetal membranes. 



