Inflammation of the womb is technically known as Metritis, and distinctions are drawn between endo-metritis and metro-peritonitis, the former affecting chiefly the internal layers of the uterus, while the latter includes the investing peritoneal membrane common to all the abdominal organs. At all times a serious sequel to parturition, it is the more feared from the frequency with which septic organisms enter the blood-stream and induce parturient fever.

There is an acute form, running its course very rapidly, a subacute of less intensity and of somewhat longer duration, while a third or chronic inflammation of the womb is occasionally encountered, in which the ordinary symptoms are not marked, but a state of debility follows, with irregularities of oestrum which will be more particularly alluded to in a subsequent paragraph.

The cause is usually to be found in some abnormal presentment of the foetus, and the difficulties connected with delivery, but that there are others less obvious may be assumed from the fact that the malady is discovered in mares which have passed through the crisis of parturition without any serious obstacle or apparent trouble.

Lactation may be satisfactory, the maternal solicitude fully awakened, and nothing to indicate a departure from health during the first twenty to forty hours - a rigor indicating approaching inflammation being rare before the latter part of the second day, although, according to some observers, it may be postponed until after the eighth. Shivering (rigor), staring coat, diminished appetite, and a more or less gradual suppression of milk, with a pulse increased in frequency but diminished in force. Other attractive symptoms are shallow and hurried respiration, a rise of two or more degrees of temperature, a pasty condition of the mouth, redness and swelling of the visible membranes, and coldness of some of the extremities. In the acute form of the malady abdominal pain is indicated by whisking of the tail, looking uneasily round at the flanks, and in some instances striking at the belly with a hind-foot.

The lameness noted by some observers would appear to arise more from pain accompanying movement of the body than from any actual disorder of the limb, but there are undoubted cramps affecting the muscles of the haunch and simulating paralysis. In the more severe cases patches of sweat appear on the quarter, the animal is indisposed to lie down, as in some other affections where the recumbent posture either adds to pain or induces fear of inability to regain the feet. There is a disposition to stand persistently with arched back, and an objection to movement suggestive of laminitis, which is by no means a rare sequel. The womb is often distended with fluid, which can be felt from outside the flank of a thin mare, and finds escape in variable quantities from the genital orifice as a thin, serous, yellowish or dark-red discharge. The lips of the vagina may be tumefied in sympathy with the womb, or as the result of injury in the act of parturition.

Where the peritoneum has suffered by extension of the inflammation from the uterus (metro-peritonitis) there is serous effusion into the cavity of the abdomen, with more or less enlargement and increased roundness, the presence of abnormal fluid being ascertained by percussion of the flanks and the absence of resonance in the lower portion of the belly. A few days, rarely exceeding five, will see a termination in death, unless a healthy reaction is rapidly followed by recovery.

In a few instances the disease passes into the chronic form, there is a considerable abatement of the symptoms, less pain, increased appetite, the enlargement of the vulva is not so noticeable, but the discharge persists and the milk does not return. There is continued debility and probable wasting of the body generally, while a false oestrum occurs at irregular intervals.

Treatment

Treatment consists in irrigating the uterus with antiseptics, emollients, and anodynes, while sustaining the patient's strength with nutritive and easily-digested foods of a laxative character, and otherwise guarding against constipation and keeping down febrile symptoms by the administration of salines, salicylates, and other agents which are more particularly described under the heading "Parturient Fever".