302 



MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 



In the complete turn, the occlusion is such that only one finger can 

 penetrate to a very slight depth in the spiral stricture, and the direction 

 of the rugse is very baffling, as they seem to intersect each other, and to 

 run in opposite directions. 



In some instances, when the mucous membrane of the vagina is in- 

 volved, the spiral ridge may be distinguished in the roof of that canal, 

 and even near to its commencement. 



When the hand can be introduced into the uterus, it is generally found 

 that the foetal membranes, as well as the foetus, are intact, and particularly 

 in the half and complete degrees of torsion. In the quarter revolution, 

 the membranes are sometimes ruptured and the waters discharged for a 

 considerable period. 



The foetus is usually alive soon after the first labor pains ; but it 

 quickly perishes, and its death is almost certain to have taken place within 

 forty-eight hours after parturition has commenced. The period of its 

 decease, however, will greatly depend on the intensity of the " pains." 



The position of the foetus varies, according to circumstances. Some- 

 times when the twist is slight and the passage sufficiently large, it partly 

 enters the pelvis, where it may not only be felt, but seized by the parts 

 first presenting. At other times it is entirely lodged in the abdomen ; 

 and at others, again, it may be felt towards the pubis, in a kind of pouch 

 or sub-vaginal tumor, formed by a duplicature of the uterus beneath the 

 inner opening of the os. In the latter case, torsion is complicated with 

 obliquity of the organ, and the tumor not unfrequently considerably ele- 

 vates the bladder and meatus urinarius. 



The form of the abdomen is sometimes characteristic. The foetus can 

 generally.be found higher in it, towards the flank, on the right or left side. 

 This change in the position of the foetus may also be recognized by ex- 

 ploration /^r rectum, which may also possibly allow the torsion of the uterus 

 to be distinguished, as well as its direction. The uterus can be felt 

 through the wall of the rectum as a tense hard mass, while the broad 

 ligaments may be discovered as hard funicular bands. It may be noted, 

 also, that occasionally the rectum itself is displaced and drawn towards 

 the entangled uterus. 



If the animal is not relieved, the symptoms above indicated persist with 

 variable intensity, according to circumstances. The straining and at- 

 tempts at spontaneous delivery continue either feebly, and with long 

 intervals between, or they are violent and almost incessant. The animal 

 soon ceases to eat and ruminate ; it becomes dull and dispirited ; fever 

 sets in, and the pulse and respiration are hurried ; rigors and grinding of 

 the teeth are remarked from time to time ; the lacteal secretion which had 

 commenced is now suspended ; the mammae become soft and small ; the 

 eyes sink in their orbit ; and extreme prostration ensues. The creature, 

 unable to get up, constantly lies ; the pulse becomes imperceptible, while 

 the heart's beats are loud and tumultuous ; and death generally occurs 

 from the third to the tenth day after the earliest symptoms were ex- 

 hibited. 



Many authorities are of opinion that death is the only result that can 

 be looked for when assistance is not rendered, and the animal is accord- 

 ingly left to its fate ; and, contrary to what Rainard has stated, they do 

 not admit that the foetus may become mummified in the uterus and the 

 Cow live and thrive. But we have the evidence of the old French au- 

 thority, BoutroUe, as well as that of Ercolani, Lessona, Rocco, Gurlt, 



