ACCIDENTS FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 103 
but, when lying down, a portion of the membranes may 
be seen protruding from the vulvar orifice, When 
putrefaction of the membranes has taken place, the 
general health of the patient suffers. She feeds 
irregularly; the coat is harsh and dry; there is loss 
of condition; the secretion of milk is decreased, or 
may be stopped; there is hollowness at the eyes; the 
pulse is small, weak, quick, and frequent; and the 
condition may terminate in pyzemia or septicemia. 
Retention of the membranes is seldom seen, except 
in the Cow. 
Treatment.—The placental membranes should not 
be allowed to remain longer than from twenty-four to 
thirty-six hours after parturition. 
There are a number of methods adopted to remove 
them. A common one is to fix a weight to the 
exposed part, until it mechanically brings them away. 
Another is to give a full dose of purgative medicine. 
The best, and most professional method, is to remove 
the mass by hand. Pass the hand into the uterus, and, 
with the thumb and index finger, break down the 
connections at the cotyledons. When these con- 
nections, or as many of them as can be reached, 
have been ruptured, gentle traction will often complete 
the removal. 
In any case, after the removal of the membranes, 
the womb should be washed out with an antiseptic 
solution. If the membranes have undergone decom- 
position, repeated washing or douching will be 
necessary, and the general health of the animal should 
be attended to. 
