552 Veterinary Obstetrics 



ous in the cow for more than a day or two. At first it is a red- 

 dish or grayish-red discharge, owing to the admixture of blood, 

 but this quickly changes to mucus, which may persist for a longer 

 period of time. 



Fleming considers this lochial discharge far more important 

 than we have observed. He states that it may continue for 

 days or weeks and that 7 to 8 quarts of lochial discharge have 

 been removed from the uterine cavity of the mare three days 

 after parturition. Apparently he and others have failed to 

 recognize the proper line of demarcation between the physiology 

 of the puerperal state and the pathology of this period. In our 

 judgment, when these discharges become very apparent and 

 acquire marked characters they are no longer physiologic, but 

 are pathologic, and should be regarded as such. 



The discharge of the lochia is of physiologic importance to 

 the animal, since it rids the maternal system of an amount of 

 tissue which has ceased to live and which must consequently be 

 excreted either directly through the vagina or indirectly by be- 

 ing absorbed by the maternal system and later excreted through 

 other channels'. If it is not promptly discharged, it forms a 

 dangerous culture medium in which bacteria may multiply and 

 cause more or less serious disease. 



Some believe that the suspension of the lochial discharge 

 causes serious disease. This is difficult of proof. Admittedly 

 we observe serious disease in animals when the lochia become 

 infected and the products of infection enter the maternal system. 

 This is not the result of lochial suspension, but of infection. 



^ 'K 'H '1- 'p 'K 



Often the mother more or less resents the approach of other 

 animals or of persons and is very liable to injure her young by 

 treading upon them in an effort to protect them. Such danger 

 is often observed with nervous mares. The same is especially 

 noted if a sow is disturbed. She then shows great liability to 

 trample her young, or, failing in this, she lies upon some of the 

 pigs as a consequence of her excitement. 



It should not be forgotten that many of our domestic animals 

 are prepared to strenuously defend their young and will vigor- 

 ously attack other animals, or man, when they approach. Such 

 an attitude is not confined to any one species, but is a maternal 

 instinct which is shown to some extent by all animals which 



