DYSTOKIA BY DISPLACEMENT. 309 



into view, and the vagina assumes its normal length and width, as well 

 as cylindrical form. 



So that the hand introduced into the vagina, per vulvam, no longer 

 encounters the spiral plicae met with in the animal while alive ; but 

 passes through the canal, and even into the uterus, without hindrance. 

 The number of turns necessary to accomplish this will indicate the 

 amount of torsion which had taken place. Most frequently only half a 

 turn is necessary, showing that the uterus had made half a revolution on 

 its axis — the upper surface having become the lower. Sometimes the 

 quarter of a turn will suffice to adjust it ; while in other instances a com- 

 plete turn, or even two, three, or four turns in the opposite direction to 

 the torsion, may be needed before the obstruction to the genital passages 

 disappears. 



At times the uterus and vagina exhibit signs of inflimmation, particularly 

 towards the strangulation, and the indications of acute metro-peritonitis 

 are frequently most marked. In exceptional instances we may hav^e gan- 

 grene of the uterus, probably due to obstruction of the blood-vessels im- 

 plicated in the torsion. 



As a complication, a more or less extensive rupture, complete or incom- 

 plete, of the uterus may exist : possibly having been produced by the 

 severe uterine contractions during the life of the animal. This rupture 

 implicating the walls of the organ, is most frequently met with in its body, 

 in the vicinity of the twisted portion, or at the junction of the gravid cornu 

 with the uterus. The foetus has been at times found partly fixed in the 

 fissure. 



With regard to the foetus itself, its condition varies with the length of 

 time which has elapsed since it perished, and also whether or not the 

 external air has had access to it. In some instances, even when it has 

 been dead for a long time, it will be found in a state of perfect preserva- 

 tion ; in others it is in an advanced stage of putrefaction, the hair and 

 hoofs coming off readily, and the body swollen and emphysematous, 

 while the odor emitted is disgustingly powerful and foetid. 



In rare cases the foetus is mummified, and this may even occur when it 

 has attained its full development. 



Such is an outline of the pathological anatomy of this accident. Nume- 

 rous illustrations of the various lesions met with after death might be 

 furnished, but we will content ourselves by quoting two or three of the 

 very few cases recorded in England, in addition to that published by 

 Carlisle and already referred to. 



In Carlisle's case the following lesions were noted : On opening the 

 abdominal cavity to its full extent along the linea alba, the pelvic region 

 was found to be " completely crammed with the small intestines in a far 

 advanced state of putrefaction ; as far as the anterior ridge (brim) of the 

 pelvis at this place, the portion of intestine was completely strangulated. 

 Anterior to this the bowels were free from inflammation, and the only 

 abnormal appearance was the mesentery which attaches the small intes- 

 tines to the spine, which was torn from the spine for a considerable 

 length. The bladder was free from inflammation, and void of urine." On 

 examination of the uterus, there was discovered an extensive rupture of 

 the broad ligaments, near to the cervix uteri. " For about four inches there 

 was a high degree of inflammation, clearly pointing out thepl^ce where it 

 had been twisted. The other parts of the uterus were healthy. The 

 vagina appeared inflamed throughout its whole length ; " this condition 



