Torsion of the Uterus 189 



firmly, leaving sufficient free tape to reach across the vulva 

 to the suture of the other side, to which it is tied by a bow- 

 knot. The sutures can be untied at will while the vulva, 

 vagina, and sutures are cleansed. 



The suture is better when made of heavy silver wire. It 

 irritates the tissues less than the tape and is cleaner. It 

 has the great advantage, also, that the ends of the wires 

 crossing over the vulva may be fastened by merely bending 

 them over the suture, so that, if parturition commences in 

 the absence of an attendant the force will cause the wire 

 hook to unbend and the vulvar lips to part. Similar pro- 

 vision may be made with tape by using for the cross liga- 

 tures, tape or cord of low tensile strength which, in case of 

 labor pains, will break. Otherwise, there is danger of in- 

 terference with parturition and special danger of lacera- 

 tions of the vulva owing to pressure upon the sutures. 



K. Torsion of the Uterus 



Torsion of the uterus is generally considered only as a 

 cause of dystocia at or near the full term of pregnancy. It 

 has been quite fully discussed in the companion volume 

 upon Veterinary Obstetrics. It is well to add that uterine 

 torsion occurs quite independently from the near approach 

 of parturition. In the cow it may be encountered when 

 palpating the genitalia at least as early as the 145th day of 

 pregnancy. It may cause colicky pains, or merely dullness, 

 or for a time no symptoms at all. Therefore the practi- 

 tioner may be called to examine the cow because she has 

 shown signs of disease, or he may detect the torsion in the 

 course of an examination of the genitalia as a part of the 

 control of sterility and abortion. 



When a veterinarian is called to attend a cow showing oc- 

 cult evidences of disease, he should always have in mind the 

 important role played by the genital organs and make a 

 careful examination. When the displacement occurs early, 

 as in the cow already cited, there may be no manifestations 

 of disease or discomfort. The torsion in the small and not 



