Some Observations on Parturition Fever in Ruminants. 
603 
exudation of a crouprous character over certain of the abraded 
surfaces. 
It has been stated by some observers that, where metro- 
peritonitis exists, there is invariably an effusion of fluid into 
the peritoneal sac, and that this condition is diagnosticated by 
distension of the abdomen so obvious as not to escape detection. 
Now, although this condition is rarely absent, I am not 
satisfied, save in exceptional instances, that the accumulation of 
fluid is such as to force itself upon our attention. In the 
greater number, however, if there is not obvious distension, 
there is tenderness on pressure. 
Course, ^c. — In the cow, the usual course of the fever of 
the septiccemic infective type is short and fatal, — a few days, or 
not more than a week, being sufficient to carry the animal 
through all the stages of established fever and general blood- 
contamination, to a fatal termination. Other manifestations of 
the fever — the septiccemic poisonous manifestations, where the 
truly infective character seems absent, — rarely reach the same 
height of febrile disturbance, the living tissues being able to 
resist the action of the absorbed material, or annul its virulent 
properties. These symptoms, after a few days of violent 
general disturbance, suffer decline, and enter upon a course of 
steady convalescence. A few of the same class, after the 
subsidence of the more active and distressing symptoms, show 
so far a recovery, which is arrested at a certain point, and a 
condition of chronic disease of both uterus and vagina is esta- 
blished, evidenced by a persistent form of leucorrhoea. In many 
of these cases of chronic catarrh of the genital passages follow- 
ing parturition fever, I have observed that retention of uterine 
membranes has been a prominent feature, and that these are, 
with an extra amount of variously constituted fluids, discharged 
at irregular intervals in irregular quantities. While, if no 
membranes have been retained by a partly contracted uterus 
during inflammatory action, imprisoned secretions may have 
a similar action, these only finding exit at uncertain intervals, 
and when their amount has distended the viscus, and forced a 
passage through the partially closed natural opening. 
In the ewe the fever, as previously stated, is almost invariably 
of a more severe and malignant type, a true septiccemic infection, 
apparently capable of propagation mediately and immediately, 
and, when once established, seldom failing to pass on to a fatal 
termination. When declaring itself close upon the birth of the 
lamb, it is less likely to be complicated with other affections, and 
is seen in its purest and most severe form. Those cases which 
are somewhat delayed in their appearance are frequently mixed 
with inflammatory affections of the udder, and if not imme- 
