Acute Metritis in the Cow 883 



I 



straying them in the uterine cavity or in the tissues of the uter- 

 us. Ivarge volumes of weak antiseptic solutions are therefore 

 preferable to smaller concentrated ones. During the entire pro- 

 cess of irrigation, the operator may add small quantities of anti- 

 septics, and thus exert some influence upon the septic condition. 

 In our experience we have preferred less than a i % solution of 

 carbolic acid. We have likewise used a 0.1% solution of per- 

 manganate of potash, with good results. 



After the irrigation of the uterine cavity has been completed 

 and the liquid has been expelled or siphoned out, there may be 

 deposited in the uterine cavity a liberal amount of powdered 

 iodoform. 



The flushing of the uterus should be continued until the walls 

 have recovered their contractile power and the purulent discharge 

 has been replaced by mucus. 



Internally the treatment should consist chiefly of those reme- 

 dies which support the strength of the animal, and tend to bring 

 about either the destruction of the micro-organisms and their pro- 

 ducts, or their prompt excretionfrom the system. The general 

 rules of systemic medication in acute metritis in the mare apply- 

 also to the cow. Potassium iodide, being highly toxic for the 

 cow, should be omitted or given in small doses. 



In metro-peritonitis, and other puerperal infections, various 

 anti-streptococcic and other sera have been used and highly 

 lauded by some veterinarians, but so far as we have been able to 

 determine, the evidence of their value has been what we may 

 term circumstantial. 



The rapid elimination of poisonous products may be greatly 

 favored, when necessary, by prompt catharsis, but as a general 

 rule this should be avoided except in very acute cases, and in- 

 stead the excretion by the bowels should be favored ,by a light, 

 laxative diet so long as the patient will eat. If, however, it is 

 felt that prompt excretion is essential, our preference is decidedly 

 toward the hypodermic cathartics, which will act within an hour, 

 and thus not induce a prolonged depression or threaten to cause 

 ' superpurgation. Among these remedies we favor moderate or 

 small doses of eserine or arecoline, of such amount as to not cause 

 great depression of the animal. 



