UEO-OENITAL SYSTEM 203 



uterine mucosa. The external genitals are congested and tumefied. 



Catarrhal metritis is characterized by congestion and limited tume- 

 faction of the uterine mucosa. The uterine cavity will contain limited 

 quantities of a mucous or muco-purulent exudate. Rarely will frag- 

 ments of placenta be found in these cases. 



Purulent metritis is characterized by intense inflammatory dis- 

 turbance with the accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity. The 

 uterine walls will be tumefied because of the extensive leucocytic 

 infiltration. The infection and inflammatory process not infrequently 

 extend and involve the contiguous peritoneum, producing a metro- 

 peritonitis. In some cases there will be a general suppurative peri- 

 tonitis. 



Septic metritis is characterized by an intense inflammation of the 

 uterine walls with accompanying necrosis. The uterine cavity will 

 contain quantities of a putrid fluid or semi-fluid. The uterine mu- 

 cosa inay have sloughed, or appear as a macerated yellowish mass. 

 The uterine veins will be engorged, due to thrombic formation. 

 The fallopian tubes and ovaries are frequently involved. The process 

 invariably involves the peritoneum. Metastases and thrombic forma- 

 tion may occur in any part of the body. 



Symptoms. — Catarrhal metritis does not produce sufficiently con- 

 stant symptoms to be readily identified. There is a mucous or muco- 

 purulent vaginal discharge. The aifected animal appears unthrifty. 

 There may or may not be a rise of temperature. 



Purulent metritis is manifested by a purulent vaginal discharge. 

 The affected animals eat sparingly if at all. There will be a rise 

 of temperature. If the peritoneum is involved the patient will evi- 

 dence pain when forced to move. 



Septic metritis has a rather sudden onset. There will be from 

 4 to 6° rise of temperature. The animal will have a tucked up 

 appearance. There may or may not be a discharge of bloody fluid 

 from the vagina. The patient will refuse food but drinks freely. 



The course of metritis is variable. The catarrhal type may con- 

 tinue for several days or weeks and finally become chronic. The 

 purulent and septic types are invariably acute and the septic type 

 usually terminates fatally. In some cases of purulent metritis the 

 virulence of the infecting microbian agents may be overcome and 

 a quantity of pus will be retained in the uterus, producing pyometra. 

 Many sows that have been affected with metritis become sterile. 



