42 
ent degree and nature, depending on the condition of the 
organs through wounds and lesions, and on the quantity and 
the virulence of the introduced infections material. 
These assumptions agree with the observations of Kitt 
who says: that abnormalities of this kind are seldom found 
in animals which never have been pregnant; they are mostly 
derived from an abnormal delivery, with its apparent chance 
for infections of different kinds. Diseases of the genital 
organs connected with exsudation can nearly always be 
traced to an infection. Even the more chronic lesions, where 
only a benign and mucous or muco-purulent exsudation 
exists, are apparently caused by different micro-organisms. 
That the more septic forms of metritis are produced by very 
virulent bacteria is generally admitted. 
The etiology of the acute and septic metritis which is 
marked by a thin, discolored, and evil smelling secretion, 
and its influence on the general conditions and wellbeing of 
the animal, is well known. Dystocia, torsio uteri, death or 
decomposition of the fetus are generally the causes. We 
know how common such cases are, and are not surprised if 
the patients show afterwards irregularities in their sexual 
life. 
The causes of endometritis mentioned are, however, all 
together not so important as the retentio secundinarum, 
which is so very frequent as to deserve the most careful 
consideration. 
In this connection, again, we wish to call attention to 
infectious abortion, which is so often attended by a subse- 
quent sterility. This, however, depends very much upon 
how well the animal gets over the usual metritis, and this, 
again, depends on whether the secundinae are retained or 
not. Aborting cows generally retain their placenta. 
The retentio secundinarum is also quite common in cows 
which have delivered normally, and is thus a serious annoy- 
ance. Farmers are as a rule well aware of the importance 
of this and always ask what is to be done if a cow does not 
