220 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ing constantly or intermittently (when the cow lies down), soiling the 

 tail and matting its hairs and those of the vulva. When the lips of 

 the vulva are drawn apart the mucous membrane is seen to be red, 

 with minute elevations, or pale and smooth. The health may not suffer 

 at first, but if the discharge continues and is putrid the health fails, 

 the milk shrinks, and flesh is lost. If the womb is involved the hand 

 introduced into the vagina may detect the mouth of the womb slightly 

 open and the liquid collected within its cavity. Examination with the 

 oiled hand in the rectum may detect the outline of the womb beneath, 

 somewhat enlarged, and fluctuating under the touch from contained 

 fluid. In some cases heat is more frequent or intense than natural, 

 but the animal rarely conceives when served, and, if she does, is likely 

 to abort. 



Treatment. — Treatment with the injections advised for vaginitis is 

 successful in mild or recent cases. In obstinate ones stronger solu- 

 tions may be used after the womb has been washed out by a stream 

 of tepid water until it comes clear. A rubber tube is inserted into 

 the womb, a funnel placed in its raised end, and the water, and after- 

 wards the solution, poured slowly through this. If the neck of the 

 womb is so close that the liquid can not escape, a second tube may 

 be inserted to drain it off. As injections may be used chlorid of 

 zinc, one-half dram to the. quart of water, or sulphate of iron, 1 dram 

 to the quart. Three drams of sulphate of iron and one-half ounce 

 ground ginger may also be given in the food daily. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB (METRITIS, INFLAMMATION OF WOMB 

 AND ABDOMEN, OR METROPERITONITIS). 



Inflammation of the womb may be slight or violent, simple or asso- 

 ciated with putrefaction of its liquid contents and general poisoning, 

 or it may extend so that the inflammation affects the lining membrane 

 of the whole abdominal cavity. In the last two cases the malady is a 

 very grave one. 



Causes. — The causes are largely the same as those causing inflam- 

 mation of the vagina. Greater importance must, however, be attached 

 to exposure to cold and wet and septic infection. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms appear two or three days after calving, 

 when the cow may be seen to shiver, or the hair stands erect, espe- 

 cially along the spine, and the horns, ears, and limbs are cold. The 

 temperature in the rectum is elevated by one or two degrees, the pulse 

 is small, hard, and rapid (70 to 100), appetite is lost, rumination 

 ceases, and the milk shrinks in quantity or is entirely arrested, and 

 the breathing is hurried. The hind limbs may shift uneasily, the tail 

 be twisted, the head and eyes turn to the right flank, and the teeth 

 are ground. With the flush of heat to the horns and other extremi- 

 ties, there is redness of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and usually a dark 

 redness about the vulva. Pressure on the right flank gives manifest 



