878 Veterinary Obstetrics 



Treatment is of little avail. Locally it should consist of irri- 

 gations, as already recommended for endometritis on page 876. 

 To the warm water may be added 0.5% carbolic acid, creolin or 

 lysol. After thorough irrigation, iodoform powder may be scat- 

 tered over the uterine floor. 



Internally, quinine, one ounce once or twice daily, or potassium 

 iodide in ounce doses, two or three times daily, may be used ; or 

 the two drugs may be given simultaneously or alternately. 



The strength of the patient should be supported by large and 

 repeated doses of alcohol or nitrous ether, and by repeated mod- 

 erate doses of strychnine. If the patient will eat, ample food 

 should be allowed of such variety as is usually indicated in serious 

 febrile infections. 



c. Acute Metritis and Metro- Peritonitis in the Cow. . 



Metritis in the cow is most frequently dependent upon retained 

 placenta, especially when such retention is neglected, or still 

 worse, when improperly handled, as has already been discussed 

 when considering the treatment of retained placenta on page 799. 

 The infection is also frequently dependent upon perforating 

 wounds, or ruptures, of the uterus due to accidents during par- 

 turition such as have already been related on page 8 1 8 while con- 

 sidering rupture of the uterus. It varies greatly in acuteness. 

 In one instance, where an acute placentitis occurred within 24 

 hours after dystokia, apparently due to infection carried into the 

 uterine cavity by the obstetrist, there was a sudden elevation of 

 temperature to 106F., with the general symptoms of acute 

 septicaemia, the cotyledons were enormously enlarged, tense and 

 necrotic. This represents an exceedingly virulent type of metritis, 

 more severe than the usual form of the disease. As usually ob- 

 served there is elevation of temperature, loss of appetite, absence 

 of milk secretion, torpidity of the bowels, dullness, and the 

 general symptoms of septicaemia. 



Locally there is observed swelling of the vulva, and upon in- 

 troducing the hand, the vulva and vagina are found very hot to 

 the touch and tender, and the mucous membrane swollen. 

 There is frequent and severe straining, during which usually 

 small quantities of a grayish-red fiocculent pus are discharged. 



