9o8 ' Veterinary Obstetrics 



ing cites Roloif as having observed a peculiar inflammation of the 

 feet of cows just after parturition, though the description which 

 he gives does not fully identify it with laminitis. 



Parturient laminitis in the mare is a well-nigh constant accom- 

 paniment of endometritis. It is so common that it may be re- 

 garded as an essential part of that malady. It is probably 

 overlooked sometimes because there are present, in endometritis 

 of the mare, two painful areas — the abdominal pain due to metri- 

 tis, and the pain in the feet from the laminitis, each of which 

 induces a stiffness in the gait which is very much like the other. 



The nature of parturient laminitis, so far as we have been able 

 to observe clinically, does not differ in any essential respect from 

 the laminitis due to irritation of the intestinal tract from indiges- 

 tion. It appears to be a purely metastatic inflammation, depend- 

 ent directly upon the irritation in the uterus as a result of en- 

 dometritis, and the absorption from the uterine mucosa of the 

 products of bacterial decomposition. 



The symptoms of puerperal laminitis are identical with the 

 symptoms of the laminitis following indigestion. It usually 

 occurs in those cases of endometritis in the mare which have 

 their origin in a retention of the placenta in the non-gravid horn 

 of the uterus. As a rule it follows an apparently normal birth, 

 in which the placenta has been expelled promptly, and so far 

 as the owner observes, completely, but that portion of it which 

 has occupied the non-gravid cornu has been broken off and re- 

 tained. In the course of 48 to 72 hours after parturition, there 

 appear the general symptoms of endometritis, as already de- 

 scribed on page 874. Upon examination, the fragment of 

 placenta may still be found in the non-gravid cornu. 



At the same time that the symptoms of endometritis are first 

 observed, well-marked laminitis also usually appears. The 

 disease ma}' involve the two anterior feet, or all four feet. 

 As in ordinary cases of laminitis, the animal moves with great 

 difficulty, and places its weight upon its heels so as to relieve the 

 sensitive laminse upon the anterior walls of the feet from pres- 

 sure as far as possible. If the disease is very severe, the animal 

 tends to persistent recumbency, or stands riveted to the spot and 

 can hardly be induced to move. 



Examination of the hoofs reveals a distinct elevation in their 

 temperature, varying of course according to the intensity of the 

 attack. Throbbing of the arteries of the feet is very evident. 



