Acute Metritis and Metro- Peritonitis in the Cow 879 



Mixed with the discharge from the uterus, there are frequently 

 observed shreds of the fetal membranes, or necrotic cotyledons 

 which have sloughed off. The straining is usually very intense, 

 and in some cases well-nigh constant. The cow stands with her 

 back arched and the abdomen compressed. She frequently 

 grinds her teeth, and in almost all cases shows very great pros- 

 tration. When the hand is introduced into the uterus, the 

 straining is usually aggravated, and becomes very violent. 



As the disease progresses, the discharge may vary greatly in 

 character. Alwaj's somewhat muco-purulent, it shows a constant 

 variation of the proportion of pus to mucus and of the degree 

 of admixture of blood, which induces a change in color and con- 

 sistence. In some cases the discharge becomes diptheritic, and 

 is expelled in large, tough grayish-white masses. As the disease 

 progresses, the cow tends to assume the recumbent position, and 

 ere long is unable to get up, as a result of the profound septi- 

 caemia. The rumen may become distended with gas. 



Terminations. The course of acute metritis in the cow is 

 usually very rapid, and terminates in recovery or death within 

 from two to six or eight days. In some cases the disease gradually 

 passes into the chronic state, and continues for weeks, months 

 or years unless properly handled. 



The mortality is high, exceeding 50%. In the placental me- 

 tritis or placentitis, where necro.sis of the cotyledons is followed 

 by their prompt removal and the thorough disinfection of the 

 organ, the prognosis in our experience is highly favorable. 

 When, however, we have to deal with the usual type of metritis 

 or metro-peritonitis, the prognosis is always exceedingly grave. 



The symptoms upon which our prognosis is to be based resolve 

 themselves into two principal groups, general and local. 



The temperature of the animal is not always a reliable index 

 as to the state of disease, since when there is extensive septi- 

 caemia the body temperature is somewhat erratic and at times 

 deceptive, so that, while a high temperature may always be re- 

 garded as indicative of a serious state, a low temperature is not 

 to be relied upon as indicating a favorable course. In cases of 

 very profound septicaemia in the cow, mare and other animals, 

 the temperature may be normal or subnormal, but when such is 

 the case there is a general depression, coma, or collapse, which 

 should place the veterinarian upon his guard and prevent him 



