CONDITIONS FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 125 
veins, and is followed by cedema of the affected limbs. 
The cause is believed to be pressure of the uterus; 
or thrombus, due to obstruction by some foreign 
material from the uterus. 
Symptoms. — Several days after parturition the 
lymphatics on the inside of one or both hind-limbs 
become enlarged and corded, somewhat resembling 
“lymphangitis.” This is followed by cedema of the 
whole limb; the animal loses the power of the limb, 
first at the fetlock, then all of the joints become affected, 
and ultimately the patient gets down. On examination 
the limb is found to be swollen, hot, and very painful. 
The disturbance is considerable, and much fever is 
present. The pulse is hard, quick, and frequent. There 
is inappetence, and the secretion of milk is -much 
diminished. If the patient is carefully treated, these 
symptoms may gradually disappear; but if neglected, 
and the animal allowed to lie too long in one position, 
inflammation of the tissues of the limb generally takes 
place, and abscesses form, chiefly at the hock, and the 
animal may die from anemia, septicemia, or traumatic 
fever. 
Treatment.—lf the patient be a Mare, put her in 
slings. Give a laxative in all animals, followed by 
febrifuges and diuretics. Where the limb is very 
painful, hot fomentations may be used in the first stage, 
and judicious scarification if the effusion is considerable. 
Patients that will not permit of slinging, should be 
turned every three or four hours. When the acute 
stage has been passed, bandaging will assist absorption, 
and diuretics, absorbents, and tonics should be given. 
