A CASK. OF PUKRrF.lt AL FEVER. 
333 
practicable, I removed the placenta before reducing or returning 
the uterus. 
Three cases took place in one cow-house, and the most remark- 
able thing was, that the cows were standing altogether. 
The first case was a fatal one. The second case presented 
very alarming symptoms for some time ; but I succeeded in com- 
batting the disease, and was successful in the remainder of the 
cases. I consulted my friend, Mr. Relph, on the subject, and 
he informed me that he recollected cases of the same sort. In 
his opinion it was a species of epidemic, and I am inclined to 
think that it is connected with, or left on the animal by, the late 
epidemic. I am farther confirmed in my inference by the fol- 
lowing facts : — 
In not less than fifty patients that I was called upon to attend, 
and all of which had the epidemic, the animals were continually 
straining, as if they wanted to get rid of some foreign or irritating 
substance, and continuing to void a great quantity of putrid mat- 
ter for a length of time. Many that were affected in this way 
never gave any milk; and others were obliged to go dry from the 
udder becoming so much affected. The disease was most suc- 
cessfully treated by bleeding and purgatives ; sedatives being ad- 
ministered occasionally, and injections, per vaginam, composed of 
linseed tea and a decoction of white poppies. 
May I be permitted to ask some of your numerous contributors 
what is the rationale of calves shewing symptoms of the epidemic 
at birth ? Also, what can be the cause of that lurking irritable 
and inflammatory disposition of the uterus after parturition in 
the cattle previously affected by the epidemic? 
A CASE OF PUERPERAL FEVER. 
By Mr. R. B. Paterson, F.6’., Dumfries. 
I am induced to send you the particulars of the subjoined 
case for insertion in your valuable Journal, from a desire that 
facts may be accumulated for the purpose (if possible) of forming 
a correct pathology of that direful malady, Puerperal Fever. 
I was, at half past twelve o’clock on the morning of the 8th 
instant, called upon to attend a cow, the property of a gentleman 
in this neighbourhood, that was taken suddenly ill. She had 
calved on the (ith, without any unusual difficulty, and, up to 
11 p.m. on the 7th, was, to all appearance, in perfect health, 
vol. xiv. x x 
