7IO Veterinary Obstetrics 



uterus is so voluminous and heavy, its exterior so even and 

 smooth, and it is so closely imprisoned in the abdomen that 

 grasping the organ with the hand and exerting efficient force is 

 not so easy. The force must be largely exerted by placing the 

 palm of the hand at a favorable point and pressing against the 

 uterine walls in an advantageous direction to induce rotation. 

 We have attempted the operation twice after rolling had failed, 

 each time without result. 



When the torsion has been reduced by one of the foregoing 

 plans, the question of delivery arises. If the torsion has occurred 

 earlj' in pregnancy, and has been promptly discovered and rem- 

 edied, it may not be advisable to encourage the immediate expul- 

 sion of the fetus. Cases have been recorded in the cow, six to 

 seven months pregnant, in which the torsion has been reduced, 

 the pregnancy continued to its normal close, and a living calf 

 born. These constitute very exceptional instances. In many 

 cases the torsion is not discovered at this period. 



Torsion is liable to occur at any time during the last third of 

 gestation, and consequently, when the veterinarian is called to 

 attend a pregnant animal during this period, and finds it suffer- 

 ing from some disease, the character of which is not very clear 

 upon external examination, he should not fail to investigate 

 carefully the condition of the gravid uterus, in the course of 

 which examination he would naturally discover uterine torsion 

 if it existed. 



When uterine torsion has been reduced, and has not caused path- 

 ologic changes which have destroyed the functions of the uterus, 

 labor generally begins very shortly afterward, and the fetus is ex- 

 pelled. De Bruin and others recommend that we should as a 

 rule leave the expulsion of the fetus to the natural forces of the 

 mother, unless there are conditions present which suggest other- 

 wise. If the cervical canal is not yet dilated, time should be 

 allowed for this to occur normally. If the canal is dilated, it is 

 usually observed that the fetus is quite promptly expelled, so 

 that very little assistance, if any, is required. If it seems ad- 

 visable to apply traction to the fetus, it should be done very 

 cautiously, and abundant time should be given for the passage of 

 the fetus through the birth canal. It is needless to state that, if 

 the fetus presents abnormally, it should be adjusted. 



