A CASE OF PUERPERAL FEVER. 
283 
and by a circular movement round the cord the adhesion which 
its surface has contracted with the parietes of the scrotum is de- 
stroyed, we are sure to produce tumefaction of the spermatic cord, 
and induration and vegetation of its extremity. 
Then we draw the following conclusions from this anatomical 
study of the progress of wounds. These conclusions will not be 
novel to practitioners, but they will have the advantage of prov- 
ing that their practice is in perfect accordance with theory. 
1. In ordinary cases, in order to destroy the circulation in the 
spermatic cord, nothing more is needed than simple compression , 
either by means of the ligature or clams. The escharotics that 
are sometimes placed in the groove of the clams may induce the 
inconvenience of exciting too great a degree of inflammation of 
the serous membrane. 
2. After the operation we should leave the wounds to pursue 
their own course towards cicatrization. VVe should refrain from 
injecting irritant fluids into them for the supposed purpose of 
cleansing them, unless there are evident indications of their ne- 
cessity ; and we should especially refrain from unnecessarily intro- 
ducing our fingers into the wounds in order to explore them. All 
these are proceedings which often interrupt the natural progress 
of cicatrization, and may produce the serious consequence of isolat- 
ing the cord, and producing vegetations on its extremity. 
Rec. de Med. Vet., Sept . 1840. 
A CASE OF PUERPERAL FEVER. 
By Mr. W. Thacker, Veterinary Student . 
The following case of that sadly fatal malady attacking cows 
after parturition, termed Puerperal Fever, has lately occurred in 
the practice of Mr. Simonds, with whom I am at present residing 
as assistant ; and thinking it might not be unworthy a place in 
the pages of your excellent Journal, I have ventured to send it for 
insertion. It is illustrative of the views entertained at this time 
by many members of the veterinary profession — that this disease 
essentially consists of an abnormal condition of the “ primum 
mobile” of the animal machine — the brain, with its continuation 
the spinal marrow. 
The patient was a valuable cow of the short-horned breed, in 
good condition, aged about six years, and the property of a gen- 
tleman in this place. Great care and attention had been paid to 
her, she being allowed the range of a park during the day, and 
