322 



MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 



its sternum, then on the right side, back, and so on. While this was being done. Coquet, 

 with his hand in the vagina, endeavored to fix the uterus ; and as the rotation move- 

 ment went on, the cervix was reached, then the os was felt to open, and when a com- 

 plete turn had been made, two fingers were introduced. When two rotations of the 

 body had been completed, the obstructing folds had disappeared, and the hand could 

 enter the cavity of the uterus with ease. Then the membranes were ruptured, the fore 

 limbs of the foetus were seized — the calf being in an anterior presentation and vertebro- 

 sacral position. 



Notwithstanding the dilatation of the os, energetic traction had to be employed, as 

 the Cow made no attempt to assist in parturition ; five men had to pull with all their 

 strength at the cord fastened to the limbs of the foetus before delivery could be effected. 

 A living and well-developed calf was extracted ; but the Cow lay extended on the litter, 

 perfectly exhausted apparently. Immediately after the extraction of the calf a stream 

 of blood issued from the vulva, which necessitated plugging of the vagina by means of 

 cloths steeped in cold w^ater. This arrested the haemorrhage, but the animal continued 

 to lie motionless and perfectly indifferent to everything going on around it. Stimulants 

 were administered, the next day it was able to eat, and soon after it perfectly recovered, 

 regaining condition and suckling the calf. 



2. On May 26, 1875, M. Dus, of Mehun [Renieil de Med. Veterinaire, September, 

 1876), had to attend a young Cow of small size, which had arrived at the termination of 

 its second pregnancy, but was unable to calve, though it had been attempting to do so 

 for about fifteen hours. For some months the animal, although well fed, had been 

 losing condition, and was unwell; it had not quitted the cow-shed since winter, except 

 to go to the watering-place, a short distance away, and access to which was easy. When 

 seen by Dus, it was lying on the sternum, a little inclined to the left. From time to 

 time it made slight expulsive efforts which had no result. The "waters " had not es- 

 caped, and nothing was to be seen at the vulva, which was much dilated and oedema- 

 tous, through the manipulations of an empiric who had been previously called in. The 

 udder was very large, and milk flowed from the teats. The appetite was lost. 



The Cow was got up, and a vaginal exploration made; when it was immediately dis- 

 covered that there existed at the bottom of the canal a duplicature of the mucous mem- 

 brane, which was directed from left to right and downwards and forwards, leaving be- 

 low an aperture through which the cervix uteri could be reached. The os uteri was 

 dilated, but the hand could only be introduced into the organ with extreme difficulty. 

 When so introduced, however, the feet of the foetus could be felt, but the arm was so 

 severely compressed by the vaginal duplicature that delivery was considered to be utterly 

 impossible. Torsion of the uterus from left to right was diagnosed, and attempts at re- 

 duction were at once made. The animal was laid on the right side by tying its limbs 

 together and pushing it over. The hand was introduced into the uterus to fix it as much 

 as possible by means of the fore limbs of the foetus, which was in a normal position. 

 The assistants present were then told to raise the Cow's limbs, so as to turn it on its 

 back and to the left side. After this half-turn of the body, it was found that the arm 

 was not so compressed ; and on continuing the movement of rotation on the sternum 

 and right side again, the animal's body having now made a complete revolution, the 

 uterus was discovered to be completely untwisted, and the " water-bag " immediately 

 passed through the os without rupturing. 



The Cow's limbs were then unfastened and it was led to its stable, where delivery 

 was effected in a natural manner ; though not without assistance, the animal being so 

 prostrated from the previous ineffectual efforts. In a few days recovery was complete, 

 and Cow and calf subsequently did well. 



There is not much to add with regard to this " rotation " treatment of 

 torsion. We have recommended that if the animal can be moved from 

 its stall, and time permit, it should be thrown down on litter in a roomy 

 place ; all the limbs may be tied together at once ; or first the two fore 

 and then the two hind legs, these being fastened together afterwards, but 

 not allowed to cross. For an ordinary-sized Cow five assistants are nec- 

 essary ; one of these is to be placed at the animal's head to hold it, and 

 make it follow the movements of the body ; the second should keep the 

 limbs as close to the belly as possible, when the Cow is rolled over on 

 them. It is very important during the operation that the hocks be kept 

 flexed as much as possible, in order to prevent the udder being damaged, 

 and also to avoid muscular injuries to the upper part of the hind limbs. 



