MORBID ALTERATIONS IN THE GENITAL ORGANS. 



327 



Cox ( Veterinary yournal, 1875, p. 264) found the head and fore legs 

 of the foetus protruding through the inferior wall of the uterus. Explora- 

 tion discovered the vaginal passage beyond these parts, but it suddenly 

 terminated ; though a small rpgose opening, barely admitting two fingers, 

 was found. The Mare died in two hours ; and on examination there 

 was noted a double twist of the cervix uteri, with rupture of the uterus 

 and vagina. 



Torsion of the Uterus in other Animals. 



We need not allude to this accident in the other animals mentioned as 

 liable to the accident, as it is scarcely possible to diagnose its existence, 

 owing to their small size. Besides, it appears to be extremely rare in 

 them. We may, however, refer to a case of uterine torsion in the Cat, 

 which is, we believe, unique. 



Vivier {Archives Veterinaires, Sept., 1876, p. 424) had a fine large Cat, two years old, 

 and just dead, brought to him. A few hours previously it had been apparently quite 

 well. The owner, suspecting it had been poisoned, wished a post-mortem examination 

 to be made. Vivier found the muscles almost bloodless when the skin was removed ; 

 and on incising the abdominal parietes, he was surprised to find one of the uterine cor- 

 nua suddenly escape from the opening. This cornu was deeply congested ; indeed, it 

 was almost of a violet tint, and the veins were gorged with dark-colored blood. The 

 other cornu was less voluminous, but offered the same lesions. It was evident the Cat 

 was pregnant. 



When the abdomen was completely opened, it was discovered that the uterus had made 

 two turns on itself, the tivists being to the right and left ; the cervix presented the spiral 

 appearance characteristic of torsion ; the broad ligaments were intact, and had followed 

 the uterus in its revolution. The two cornua being opened lengthways, they were found 

 to contain a large quantity of black blood mixed with clots ; in this fluid were five 

 foetuses (three in one cornu, and two in the other) contained in their membranes, and 

 probably about fifteen days old. 



This was, therefore, a case of double torsion of the uterus, and it was most probable 

 that death was immediately due to the considerable haemorrhage. Nothing could be 

 learned as to the cause of the accident. 



CHAPTER HI. 



Dystokia from Morbid Alterations in the Genital Organs. 



Following the arrangement adopted by Saint-Cyr, we will in this chapter 

 study the obstacles to parturition which are due to (i) Tumors developed 

 in, /)r in the vicinity of, the genital organs of the female ; (2) Rigidity of the 

 cervix uteri ; (3) Morbid dege?ierations of the cervix uteri ; and (4) Oblitera- 

 tion of the os uteri. 



I. Uterovaginal Tumors. 



The tumors met with in the vagina and uterus differ much with regard 

 to their nature, origin, structure, and influence on the act of parturition. 

 Sometimes they are contained in the interior of the genital organs : in the 

 uterus or its cornua or cervix, and on the walls of the vagina, as well as 

 on the labia of the vulva ; at other times they hav^e their seat in the neigh- 

 boring parts or organs: in the bladder, rectum, or pelvic connective 

 tissue. They may be constituted by degenerations or displacements of 

 these parts, or by heteroplastic products developed there. 



