956 Veterinary Obstetrics 



prevent parturient paresis ; but this has been generally discarded 

 since the advent of the inflation treatment. 



It is now uniformly advised, in case there appears to be 

 any danger of an attack of parturient paresis, that the 

 udder be inflated at once with oxygen or air as a prophy- 

 lactic measure. 



The history of the therapeutics of parturient paresis is exten- 

 sive and interesting. Almost every form and character of treat- 

 ment possible has been advised, and favorable reports of the use 

 of each have been made. Purgatives long held a very high place, 

 in spite of the fact that they were generally poured into the 

 lungs instead of the rumen, and quite generally hastened the 

 fatal termination. Stimulants, narcotics, sedatives, in endless 

 profusion, were recommended by one, only to be condemned by 

 others and finally to be discarded. 



Blood-letting was advised and abandoned. Hypodermic in- 

 jections of strychnine, eserine, pilocarpine and many drugs 

 were advised, with the great advantage that they did not get 

 into the lungs and strangle the animal, but the results from their 

 use were not satisfactory. External applications were used, .such 

 as stimulating liniments to the spine, and ice to the head. Intra- 

 uterine injections of solutions of alum or other substances were 

 advised. In spite of all these innumerable methods which were 

 recommended by this or that practitioner, the high mortality of 

 the disease still held its sway. 



Puerperal Eclampsia in the Sow. 



Hegel (Repertorium, Vol. 46,) de Bruin (Geburtshilfe bei 

 den Kleineren Haustieren) and others, describe puerperal eclamp- 

 sia in the sow. The malady is characterized, according to Hegel, 

 by spasmodic movements of the neck, grinding of the teeth, con- 

 vulsive movements of the facial muscles, inability to stand and 

 elevation of temperature. 



De Bruin has usually observed the disease two to five days 

 after farrowing and expulsion of the fetal membranes. Usually 

 the birth has been easy. The symptoms are chiefly a more or 

 less complete suspension of lactation, with paresis, coma, and in- 

 testinal torpidity. 



The prognosis is good, and most cases tend to spontaneous re- 

 covery after a few days. 



