CONDITIONS FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 127 



veins, and is followed by cedema of the affected limbs. 

 The cause is believed to be pressure of the uterus;, 

 or thrombus, due to obstruction by some foreign 

 material from the uterus. 



Symptoms. — Several days after parturition the 

 lymphatics on the inside of one or both hind-limbs 

 become enlarged and corded, somewhat resembling 

 "lymphangitis." This is followed by cedema of the 

 whole limb ; the animal loses the power of the limb, 

 first at the fetlock, then all of the joints become affected, 

 and ultimately the patient gets down. On examination 

 the limb is found to be swollen, hot, and very painful. 

 The disturbance is considerable, and much fever is- 

 present. The pulse is hard, quick, and frequent. There 

 is inappetence, and the secretion of milk is much 

 diminished. If the patient is carefully treated, these 

 symptoms may gradually disappear ; but if neglected, 

 and the animal allowed to lie too long in one position, 

 inflammation of the tissues of the limb generally takes- 

 place, and abscesses form, chiefly at the hock, and the 

 animal may die from anaemia, septicaemia, or traumatic 

 fever. 



Treatment. — If the patient be a Mare, put her in 

 slings. Give a laxative in all animals, followed by 

 febrifuges and diuretics. Where the limb is very 

 painful, hot fomentations may be used in the first stage,, 

 and judicious scarification if the effusion is considerable. 

 Patients that will not permit of slinging, should be 

 turned every three or four hours. When the acute 

 stage hasbeen passed, bandaging will assist absorption,, 

 and diuretics, absorbents, and tonics should be given. 



