DISPLACEMENT OF THE PREGNANT UTERUS 155 



happily arranged on account of the enormous collateral 

 branches in the broad ligaments, the influx and return flow of 

 the blood is handicapped but little in a quarter torsion. This 

 is quite different when the rotation reaches 180 degrees or 

 more. Now disturbances follow, not equalized by collateral 

 circulation. Venous stasis arises, and, in consequence of an 

 excess of carbon in the uterine blood, contractions (labor pains), 

 indicated by lively movements of the foetus at an early period, 

 set in. A torsion of 270 degrees or 380 degrees, persisting for 

 some time, prevents placental circulation and causes death of 

 the foetus. 



The above discussions are based upon a rotation of the 

 uterus on its long axis. 



Ehrhardt presents this opinion : " Rotation of the uterus 

 takes place on its vertical axis, and therefore it would be better 

 to speak of a versio uteri. At the moment of quarter torsion 

 the foetus occupies a transverse position. "When the foetus lies 

 in a normal presentation, with the anterior portion of the body 

 toward the pelvic inlet, then its head is in the direction of the 

 right abdominal wall of the cow in quarter torsion." 



Ehrhardt and Franck believe that most torsions of the 

 uterus take place at an earlier period of pregnancy, although 

 he admits that two factors are necessary for its production : 1. 

 The uterus must have descended into the abdominal cavity. 

 2. The foetus must be sufficiently matured to produce rotation 

 by its movements. 



Mbsching published a very interesting contribution on 

 torsio uteri in the cow. "We learn from his report, referring to 

 121 cows and one goat, that torsion occurred 88 times to the 

 right and 34 times to the left. The termination was favorable 

 in 94 instances, and mostly without complications. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of rotation of the uterus from 

 the middle of pregnancy until the eighth month are often not 

 recognized as such. Usually the diagnosis is colic. The cow 

 kicks the hind legs against the belly, gets up and down and is 

 very restless. The phenomena last about one day, when 

 appetite diminishes, rumination may even cease, defaecation is 



