6o6 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



fetal membranes, though any intense irritation should be 

 competent to cause it. 



Clinically the symptoms are a constant, usually fetid uter- 

 ine discharge of limited volume. The sclerotic state of the 

 walls prevents sacculation of the uterus, with large accumu- 

 lations of pus, and renders the discharge essentially con- 

 stant. Clinical examination reveals pus in the vagina and, 

 by douching, in the uterus. Rectal palpation discloses an 

 enlarged, very hard, cartilage-like uterus, usually regular in 

 contour. The hardness is similar to that of some cases of 

 puerperal metritis, but the history of the recent termina- 

 tion of pregnancy serves to differentiate. In the latter case 

 the hardness disappears with the control of the metritis. 

 In all specimens in my collection the uterine mucosa is to- 

 tally destroyed and the breeding life of the animal definitely 

 closed. The condition does not visibly affect the general 

 health of the animal nor decrease the value of its carcass for 

 human food. There is probably very little, if anything, to 

 be gained by treatment. 



F. Pelvic Adhesions. Parametritis 

 Parametritis with pelvic adhesions and abscesses is a 

 common result of intense intra-uterine infection. The extra- 

 uterine infections vary widely in origin. Unquestionably 

 some cases arise from the infection passing through the ovi- 

 duct and escaping into the peritoneal cavity. These, how- 

 ever, usually expend their energy in producing cystic de- 

 generation of the corpus luteum and adhesions of the ovary 

 in the pavilion of the oviduct and in the ovarian pocket. 

 This is elsewhere considered. Extensive pelvic adhesions 

 are the common result of non-mortal rupture of the uterus 

 with the escape of infectious material, or of the injection of 

 irritant antiseptics into the peritoneal cavity. Infection also 

 invades the genital peritoneum from the endometrium 

 through the muscle layers of the uterus and, having gained 

 the serous covering, involves by contiguity the adjacent per- 

 itoneal surfaces, and the contiguous surfaces adhere. 



The most potent cause of pelvic adhesions and abscesses 



