332 PARTURITION AND DISEASES INCIDENTAL. 



Sjmiptoms. 



In appearance the lips of the vagina are very much swollen, 

 the mucous lining of the cavity being of a deep red or livid color, 

 frequently covered with patches of congestion; the parts feel hot 

 and dry; the natural secretion having ceased. Pain is evidenced 

 by the ewe when urinating; the vulva itches intensely; the ewe 

 will rub against posts, etc., and in so doing is liable to lacerate the * 

 parts. As the inflammation progresses, the mucus secretion 

 which was at first suppressed becomes abnormally increased, flow- 

 ing as a serous liquid, streaked with blood, changing into a puru- 

 lent discharge, which in passing over the thighs exerts a caustic 

 and excoriating effect on the skin. Where the inflammation is 

 excessive it has a tendency to terminate in gangrene, in which 

 event the ewe is liable to succumb from septic poisoning; this 

 termination, however, is rare. 



CrcatTnewt. 



Wash the parts in warm water, and use astringent injec- 

 tions; that suggested in ''Inversion of the Vagina" can also be 

 used in these cases with good efl'ect. Should there be danger of 

 gangrene, iron and quinine can be administered internally and the 

 parts dressed with carbolized oil. 



Inflammatton of the ^omb — Metritis. 



Parturient fever is a serious condition, due to one 

 of several causes, such as injuries to the genital canal during 

 parturition, retention of the foetal membranes (after birth), or 

 the introduction of septic material, and exposure to cold during 

 lambing has also been claimed as a cause of this condition. 



Symptoms. 



The ewe evidences symptoms of distress; the pulse is full 

 and bounding; the respirations are hurried; the visible mucous 

 membranes are congested; the lining of the vagina is inflamed, 



