132 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE- DOG. 



parturition, particularly if the labor be protracted, and un- 

 skilful or rough usage has been had recourse to. 



It may proceed from external violence, as blows or falls, 

 or from the use of injudicious and excessive vaginal injections. 



Symptoms. — Pain on pressure over the uterine region, and 

 also on examination per vaginam ; in the latter, the os uteri 

 will be found exceedingly sensitive and hot. Fulness of the 

 abdomen, and general inflammatory fever, ft^e animal is 

 prostrate, but afraid to lie dowiiTJ Vomiting is usually present, 

 and sometimes a purulent discHarge, which becomes fcEtid as 

 the disease proceeds, issues from the vagina, the labia of 

 which are tumefied and hot, and the animal frequently en- 

 deavors to urinate. PR metritis occurs at or after parturi- 

 tion, the secretion ofihilk is generally suspended. In such 

 a case there is a considerable tendency for the inflammation 

 to extend to the peritoneuTn] (metro-peritonitis), in which 

 the pain, is more diffused, and peritonitic symptoms are 

 manifested. 



Treatment. — The patient should be confined to a comfort- 

 able, soft bed ; lying on hard, bare, or cold floors is exces- 

 sive^ injurious. 



nOpiates, containing i to 3 grains of the drug, with, if there 

 is much prostration, brandy and water, and warm baths to the 

 hind parts- as far as the loins, or local fomentations, are the 

 measures most advisable. A weak watery infusion of opium, 

 tepid, may with benefit be injected in the uterusjibut it is ne- 

 cessary to observe that extreme care should be used in insert- 

 ing the end of the pipe within the mouth of the inflamed 

 organ ; indeed, when the inflammation is excessive, it is 

 fetter to be content with gentle vaginal injection.! Foetor may 

 be overcome by injections of a weak solution of Wbolic acid 

 or chloride of zincj 



In severe cases, counter^irritation to the loins and abdomen 

 may also be adopted. 



'The bowels should be gently move^ vyith castor-oil, aided 

 by enemasTl 



