D YSTOKIA B Y DISPL A CEMENT. 



29s 



the half-turn is scarcely 180^. Nevertheless, an approximation is all 

 that can be looked for, and, indeed, is all that is necessary. 



As we have already mentioned, Mazure, in 1842, had a case of com- 

 plete rotation of the uterus on its axis ; this was remedied by causing the 

 organ to turn completely round in the opposite direction. Other writers 

 have spoken of a complete rotation in some cases, but it may be sur- 

 mised that it was only a half-turn. Double, triple, and even quadruple 

 twists have been described ; because there have been found two, three, 

 or more spiral ridges or doubles, close together, hard, and resisting, and 

 usually parallel to each other. But, as Zundel points out, these multiple 

 plies are only what a somewhat long and supple cylinder makes when 

 it is twisted. 



Fig. 68. 



Incomplete Torsion of the Uterus. 



I, Body of the Uterus ; 2, 3, 4, Spiral Twists directed from left to right ; 5, Cervix Uteri and 

 Vagina; 6, Suspensory Ligament; 7, Pelvis. 



To account for these multiple ///V«, which have erroneously been taken 

 for so many complete turns of the uterus, we have only to accept the 

 illustration offered us by Delafond, who, comparing that organ to a long 

 stocking, puts a weight in the foot of the latter, and gives it a turn in the 

 middle, keeping the open or upper end fixed. Or a small body, to repre- 

 sent the fcetus, may be enclosed in the middle of a handkerchief — the 

 uterus — so as to make a sac. If the end containing the body be turned 

 or twisted on itself, the neck of the sac will have a first ply, representing 

 one-fourth of a complete twist ; a second ply will represent the half of a 

 complete twist or turn, and will cross the other ; so that when a complete 

 turn has been made, it will be found that there are at least four plies or 

 strands. 



Notwithstanding this illusion, however, jt is certain that double and 

 even multiple tol-sion of the uterus may ex'ist ; but then the body of the 

 organ and the vagina are close twisted like a cord. This multiple tor- 

 sion is discovered on making the autopsy of an animal which has died or 

 been killed because of non-delivery. In such a case, it requires two 



