600 Some Observations on Parturition Fever in Ruminants, 
To summarise as respects the reputed causes of "parturient 
fever " in the cow and in the ewe, I am disposed to attribute the 
occurrence of the simple or more benign form, that which is 
most frequently seen in the cow, to the passage into the circula- 
tion of decomposing or putrid animal fluids which do not 
necessarily contain micro-organisms ; or, if such exist, not pos- 
sessing the power of indefinite production. I hold that the 
general disturbance is brought about by the action of chemical 
changes in the fluids and solids of the body, rather than by 
micro-organic activity. Also that, other things considered, the 
severity of the fever is in direct ratio to the amount of the dis- 
turbing element received ; while in all instances there is a 
disposition in the living tissues to overcome the evil tendencies 
of the received material. This form as a septic condition is at 
present known as " septiccemic poisoning." 
In the other forms, the more serious disturbance occasionally 
seen in the cow, more frequently in the ewe, the condition 
appears to follow as the result of the entrance into the system of 
pathogenic bacteria, i.e. disease - producing organisms — these 
organisms probably not being special, but capable of self- 
augmentation, and in many instances tending to further local 
changes of a specific character. This form does not appear to 
depend for its virulence or severity upon the amount of virus 
imported, but upon its character or quality. It is recognised 
pathologically as " septicoemic infection" and is capable, through 
reception of the smallest amount of the infecting material, of 
propagation in other living animal bodies. 
Anatomical Characters. — In all instances of a fatal cha- 
racter, the local lesions may be broadly stated as specially 
located in the pelvic organs. When the contaminating material 
absorbed has been considerable, and the result has been rapidly 
fatal, preceded by much fever, in acute cases of '■^ sej}tic poisoning" 
— local lesions may not be the most marked feature. The blood 
as a whole is physically altered, is darker in colour, coagulating 
imperfectly, with evidences of hyperaemia or capillary haemor- 
rhage. The blood markings are chiefly found beneath the 
serous membranes of the pericardium, endocardium, and the 
pleurae, while the hyperaemia is chiefly distributed in connection 
with the mucous membrane of the intestinal canal. When septic 
infection has existed, we have in addition evidences of a general 
infective condition of the different tissues and organs of the 
body. Putrefactive changes are early established, the different 
tissues are largely infiltrated with gases, and are of varying 
hues of purple and metallic green, soft and pulpy. When the 
lining membrane — endo-metritis — of the uterus is chiefly affected, 
the peritoneum is less involved. In many instances where the 
