DISPLACEMENT OF THE PREGNANT UTERUS 165 



degrees, when the cervix uteri is dilated, or, in other words, in 

 torsions originated in the preliminary stage of parturition. 



When this method is to be practiced in the recumbent 

 position, the cow is placed on her back and the hindquarters 

 are raised. While following with the hand the spirals in the 

 vagina, one endeavors to enter the uterus and to get hold of the 

 head, or, in a posterior presentation, the hind legs. After 

 rupturing the envelopes and partial evacuation of the foetal 

 water, we grasp in a right torsion the head or legs of the calf 

 and push them to the left and upward. 



Should the hand succeed in entering the uterus sufficiently 

 far to reach the shoulder of the calf, it should be placed against 

 it and pressure exerted to the left and upward. In most cases 

 we notice that this displacement is followed by a decrease of 

 pressure upon the arm, and on retraction of the arm sufficient 

 space is present to draw the fore legs or head into the genital 

 passage. 



Should torsion persist after the hand is withdrawn, it 

 frequently recovers spontaneously, as soon as the head is 

 driven into the pelvic inlet. 



Darreau manufactured an instrument which he called 

 " retroverseur uterin." It consists of three rods, three cords, 

 a winch and screw. By means of it the hearl and fore legs of 

 the calf are secured and counter-torsion attempted. The in- 

 strument shall replace the hand. I believe that in cases where 

 the head and fore legs of the calf can be reached, just as good 

 results are obtained by any of the other procedures. 



Retroversion in the standing animal has found many 

 admirers lately on account of its simplicity and success.. 

 Accoriling to P. Kniisel, forty years ago the veterinarians J. 

 and B. Kamer, in Arth and Kiissnacht (Canton Schwyz), 

 applied this method. 



As previously stated, this method is only applicable when 

 parts of the calf are within reach of the hand in the uterus. 



The larger the calf, the more the uterus descends, the 

 greater its execution. Kniisel reports a successful detorsion, 

 from the vagina in 80 per cent, of all cases. 



