OBSTETRICS 237 



or sometimes putrid matter, increased in quantity 

 after urination or defecation. 



The animal draws attention to the hinder parts 

 by constant licking, and the discharge may escape 

 notice unless a careful examination is made. Slight 

 constitutional disturbances occur; the appetite is 

 capricious, and sometimes there is slight elevation 

 of temperature. Unless treatment is prompt the 

 condition is liable to become chronic. 



Treatment. — Constitutional disturbances should be 

 treated as they arise and the uterus and vagina 

 flushed out daily with antiseptic, astringent solu- 

 tions. Chinosol (1-1000) and one-per-cent potassium 

 permanganate are among the best. The chronic 

 form demands both local and constitutional treat- 

 ment — one-per-cent solution of sulphate of zinc ad- 

 ministered locally and iron tonics internally — to tone 

 up the system. In very obstinate cases nuclein and 

 the use of the staphylobacterins give good results 

 and should be given a trial. 



SEPTIC METRITIS— PUERPERAL FEVER 



This is in reality a case of wound infection, and 

 besides the intense inflammation of the uterus itself 

 it is always accompanied by gravp constitutional 

 disturbances. 



The parturient uterus is exceedingly susceptible 

 to bacterial invasion and absorbs toxins readily, so 

 that blood clots and remnants of a placenta which 

 so freely decompose, are among the chief causes of 

 this condition. As stated before, wounds and lacera- 

 tions are of exceedingly grave import at this time, 

 and readily become portals for the entrance of 

 bacteria and their products into the circulation. 



The intense inflammation of the mucous mem- 

 brane ejitends to the deeper structures of the uterine 

 walls, and often to the broad ligament and peri- 



