Some Observations on Parturition Fever in Ruminants. 
605 
rient animals as are likely to prevent the occurrence of either 
form of the fever, septic poisoning, or septic infection. 2. In the 
case of the actually suffering, by the employment of such agents 
and appliances, medicinal or otherwise, as seem best calculated 
to overcome the noxious material received, or to neutralise its 
effects. 
1. With respect to the prevention of the fever in any of its 
manifestations. — If it be at all true that a chief factor in the 
induction of the contamination is the existence of wounds or 
abrasions on the uterine, vaginal, or vulvar membranes, it will 
be abundantly clear that the attention of all engaged in render- 
ing assistance in labour cases ought to be directed to prevent 
the occurrence of injuries to these parts. Should wounds or 
abrasions have been sustained during the act of parturition, 
as soon as this has been accomplished, and before disintegrative 
and putrefactive changes have been entered upon, we ought, 
by the application of such antiseptic and disinfecting agents as 
carbolic acid, salicylic acid, permanganate of potash, or chloride 
of zinc, to operate as powerfully as we may be able in the 
direction of preventing the absorption of hurtful agents. When 
certain of the existence of vaginal wounds or injuries in other 
portions of the parturient passages, the proper treatment is to 
wash out the passages with tepid water, followed by syring- 
ing them with 2\ per cent, carbolic acid, or chloride of zinc 
solution, or double this strength of permanganate of potash 
solution ; after which to anoint the parts with carbolised oil, 
or, if much lacerated, to touch them with nitrate of silver or a 
strong solution of chloride of zinc. 
The carbolic acid solution is best prepared by mixing one 
part of pure acid with four or five of glycerine previous to the 
addition of the water. The syringing with the antiseptics 
should be carried out daily for some days, and the anointing 
with the oil should follow each washing. If objection be made 
to the syringing, the fluid secretions ought to be removed as 
thoroughly as possible with a sponge, and the actually torn or 
abraded parts anointed with carbolised oil. For these purposes 
a mixture of one part of acid to twenty of olive oil is sufficiently 
strong. 
No attendant on animals ought to give assistance in par- 
turition if he has lately been handling or been in contact with 
carcasses, particularly if the animals have succumbed from any 
putrefactive or septic disease ; nor if he has been handling 
decomposing animal matter, even should he cleanse himself as 
thoroughly as he may be able. Nor should any instrument 
which has been employed in contact with like material be used 
in delivering healthy animals until it has been perfectly cleansed 
