Inflammation Of The Uterine Veins, especially after delivery, is the most common form of this affection. It attacks the gaping venous sinuses at the points where they are torn from their insertion into the placenta, and extends from thence through the veins and their plexuses which run through the substance of the uterus towards its lateral walls. From hence it very often extends to the plexus pampiniformis and the trunk of the internal spermatic vein, and finally even to the trunk of the vena cava; or occasionally (but much more rarely) to the hypogastric (internal iliac) vein, and from thence to the veins of one or both of the lower extremities (Phlegmasia alba).

It usually occurs as a substantive inflammation of the coats of the veins, which commences from their insertion into the placenta, constitutes an integral constituent of the exudative process on the inner surface of the uterus, and extends in the direction which we have already indicated. It usually deposits purulent, ichorous, or septic products, corresponding to the product of the uterine exudative process. It is, however, not unfrequently induced by a coagulation of blood at various points of the uterine veins, in the spermatic vein, the vena cava, or in the most various and remote portions of the venous system. The exudation produced on the inner surface of the uterus, or an exudation deposited by substantive phlebitis of the uterine veins near their insertion into the placenta, becomes retained in the blood, and occasions its coagulation, either at once in the immediate vicinity, or subsequently at varying distances from the centre of infection, after a more prolonged action on the blood.

The pyaemia developed after delivery is one of the most frequent and intense forms of this affection.