D YSTOKIA B Y D ISP LA CEMENT. 



317 



rod is inserted in one of the openings of the winch, the screw (C) is 

 pushed through the middle hole, and the cords are passed through the 

 holes in the nut (D) of the screw (C), by means of which they are made 

 as tight as may be necessary. 



The apparatus may be used either while the Cow is standing or lying 

 on its back. By turning the handle of the winch in a contrary direction 

 to the torsion, counter-torsion is at once effected without difficulty, and 

 without causing the animal any fatigue. If the resistance is at all great, 

 the operator entrusts the instrument to the assistant, passes his hand into 

 the uterus, presses on the head of the calf, and in this way aids the ac- 

 tion of the retroversor. Parturition then takes place naturally. 



6. Rotation of the Cow's Body. — The methods of Denoc and Dar- 

 reau are likely to be useful only in cases in which the uterus is slightly 

 twisted ; and in these instances, and others in which the torsion is much 

 greater, the method about to be considered is so simple, attended with so 

 little danger, and hitherto has yielded such favorable results, that it is 

 certainly to be preferred, unless vaginal taxis can be resorted to with 

 every chance of speedy success. This method consists in rolling the ani- 

 mal affected with uterine torsion, in such a manner that the twist which 

 forms an obstacle to parturition is effaced, and the genital passages are 

 open for the passage of the foetus. 



This method has been in vogue for a long time, and its introduction is 

 due, according to Dieterichs, of the Berlin Veterinary School, to Fricke, 

 a Hanoverian veterinary surgeon. At least this would appear to be the 

 fact from what Dieterichs has stated with regard to Denoc's procedure in 

 1845 {R^cueil de Med. Veferinaire), when he says that not only had 

 Schmidt, Vix, Irminger, and Schenker, — all German veterinarians — men- 

 tioned the occurrence of torsion of the uterus ; but that Fricke, in addi- 

 tion, cured a Cow of the accident by tying its feet, two and two, then 

 rolling it, taking care to move it in a contrary direction to that in which 

 the torsion had been produced. 



German, French, Belgian, and Italian veterinary obstetrists have prac- 

 tised this method of reduction in a very large number of instances, and 

 altogether with most gratifying results. Mr. Cartwright, in England, has 

 been successful in two cases. As with Denoc's rotation method, this is 

 a version of the uterus, and not of the foetus. 



The manner of rolling the animal varies somewhat with different au- 

 thorities, but in principle all are agreed. The first step, after ascertaining 

 the existence and the direction of the displacement, is to empty the udder 

 of its milk as completely as possible, so as to prevent the gland being in- 

 jured during the operation. 



While this is being done, a sufficiently roomy place should be got ready, 

 and the floor covered with a thick layer of straw ; on this the Cow is 

 thrown on the proper side, and with all possible care, the feet being fas- 

 tened together. The hand and arm are then to be introduced as far into 

 the vagina as its condition will permit. Should the os be accessible, and 

 dilated, some part of the foetus must be secured, and more especially a 

 limb; this must be firmly maintained in one position. If the foetus can- 

 not be reached, then nothing remains but to make the wall of the vagina 

 the point of resistance until a better can be made available. 



The assistants are then to pull at the ropes which secure the feet, so as 

 to bring the Cow on its back ; then gently, and without jerking, allow it 



