130 THE COW IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



ing after it has been removed by the inexpe- 

 rienced or sometimes when the veterinarian 

 has removed it. 



When the simple catarrhal condition of the 

 uterus follows this retention, the tail and 

 escutcheon are soiled with a mass of filth 

 which is composed of pus and dirt, and when 

 the cow is in the recumbent position a quan- 

 tity of pus is usually noticed to flow from the 

 vagina. Such cows in a herd can usually be 

 detected from the odor of this discharge. 

 Milk from a cow in this condition should not 

 be used for human consumption. A veterina- 

 rian can do little in the way of treating this 

 condition unless he is called early, as the 

 mouth of the uterus will contract so that it is 

 impossible to use mild antiseptic irrigations. 

 It is unsafe to use such irrigations unless it is 

 possible to syphon off all the solution, because 

 if any is allowed to remain it may produce 

 such irritation and straining that an eversion 

 of the vagina may take place. 



With the resulting cachexia or unthriftiness, 

 that we have spoken of, the cow gradually 

 loses flesh, her hair is rough, she gives very 

 little or no milk, there is a loss of appetite, she 

 will not respond to any extent to feeds or to 

 tonics, and she gradually grows weaker and 

 becomes a living skeleton. Sometimes after a 

 year or so she regains some of her former 

 health, but this is unusual. Generally the cow 

 wastes away and dies in a few weeks. 



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