DYSTOKIA BY DISPLACEMENT. 299 



the foetus in utero, towards the termination of pregnancy. It is well 

 known that these movements are sometimes very lively and powerful, 

 and especially when induced by sudden jerks or blows inflicted on the 

 pregnant animal, or when the abdomen is compressed, after the ingestion 

 of cold water, etc. There can be no doubt that the movements which 

 the foetus executes in order to get rid of uncomfortable sensations or avoid 

 unpleasant positions, gives rise to those various attitudes and mal-presen- 

 tations which so frequently render birth difficult, if not impossible ; and 

 their occurrence may also explain how the young creature may be the 

 means of causing the cornu in which it is contained, to roll and twist 

 around the vacant cornu on the opposite side. In this way Colin 

 endeavors to account for those cases in which the uterus has made 

 several revolutions on itself when the movements persist — a very rare 

 accident, it is true ; while he admits that the quarter or half revolutions 

 — which are, after all, most frequent — may occur without the active 

 intervention of the foetus, or even of the uterus, and may take place 

 through falls or slips. 



Torsion from the above cause, Colin thinks, is all the more feasible, as 

 at the end of gestation the amniotic and allantoic fluids are diminished 

 in quantity, and the membranes and uterus are therefore applied closer 

 to the foetus, and may follow its movements more readily. 



Chambon and other veterinarians are of opinion that the irregular and 

 often violent movements which the pregnant animals — and especially 

 primiparae — manifest when the labor pains commence : lying down and 

 getting up again, throwing themselves first down on one side, then on 

 another, and sometimes even rolling, are the most frequent cause of 

 torsion which, according to them, only takes place at parturition. The 

 latter opinion is supported by a case described by Landel, in which, 

 when he made a first exploration of the genital passages at the com- 

 mencement of birtii, there was no obstruction ; but soon after, on again 

 exploring, he found that torsion of the cervix uteri had occurred in the 

 interval. 



Lessona and a few others believe that the accident may be due to the 

 thabit that certain Cows have of rolling themselves alternately from right 

 |to left when they are lying. On the sternum they may do this; but 

 though among solipeds and other animals rolling on the back is a per- 

 fectly natural movement, yet it is rarely if ever witnessed in the bovine 

 species. Sternal or abdominal rolling could scarcely produce displace- 

 lent of the uterus. 



Rupture of one or both of the broad ligaments has been indicated by 

 ^econte as always present in torsion ; but this is an error, as such a 

 lesion is found to be exceedingly rare after death. But rupture of either 

 )r both of these important suspensory bands may take place when 

 )regnancy has well advanced, and there is a severe strain upon them, 

 'hen it can be readily understood how the uterus, rolling about among 

 the digestive viscera and mainly retained by the cervix and vagina, may 

 twist and twine on itself, and thus effectually occlude the os. 



Torsion of the uterus has been witnessed by Pouchy, subsequent to a 

 )irth, in which there was eversion of the vagina and this organ. 

 In all likelihood, the stretching of the broad ligaments, through re- 

 sated pregnancies, predisposes to it ; though this cannot be the sole 

 :ause, as torsion is often met with in primiparae. 

 Displacement of the uterus by the pressure of a diseased kidney, has 



