3i8 



779. Plate XLVIII., fig. 21, represents torsion of the vagina, or 

 twist in the neck of the womb. 1 have had several of these (three in 

 the mare); but except in the first case (a cow, which was killed), I have 

 never found a complete twist, but only a partial one. The animal 

 may show signs of parturition, paddling with the feet, screwing the 

 quarters, and whisking the tail ; while the pelvic ligaments and vulva 

 are relaxed, but there are no pronounced labour pains. On 

 introducing the hand into the passage, about three-quarters of the 

 way up, a distinct corded thickening is felt on the lower part of the 

 passage, running from right to left or vice-versa, resembhng half a screw. 

 After passing the hand over the screw-like parts a pouch is found 

 just in front of the neck of the womb {os-utei'i). On reaching the 

 womb the fcetus may be felt. If lying in the position represented in the 

 figure, the head and feet must be secured with ropes and hooks, 

 brought gently forward, and jammed as far into the passage as possible. 

 In some cases, when this is done, the animal drops suddenly on to its 

 side, and thus undoes the partial twist, the result being ready delivery. 

 In other cases the patient has to be cast and rolled ; if the twist is to 

 the left, the operator must get a firm hold of the foetus and press it to 

 the right or vice-versa, when the animal is directly on its back, then 

 steady traction being put on the ropes, the uterus may suddenly right 

 itself, and delivery is accomplished. 



780. Constriction of the Os-uteri, in the cow, is known in 

 Cumberland as " horny Iyer." On introducing the hand, the neck of 

 the womb is found closed up, is very hard, and will only admit of one 

 finger ; when the pains are very strong, a good dose of opium (two or 

 three drachms suspended in hot water), or from six to eight drachms 

 chloral hydrate should be given, while the os-utevi ought to be smeared 

 with a drachm of extract of belladonna ; the patient should be kept 

 perfectly quiet and left alone, when in the course of from 12 to 24 hours 

 it may calve all right. Sometimes a cartilaginous ring round the neck 

 of the womb is met with, through which the hand cannot be passed ; 

 this ring has a kind of flange, from about three-quarters to one inch in 

 breadthi and about one-eighth to a quarter of an inch m thickness. 

 . This must be cut on the upper portion, and also on each side. Smear 



