712 Veterinary Obstetrics 



the life of the fetus, because in almost, if not all cases, it has 

 perished before the condition has been realized, and consequently 

 its life or value is excluded from consideration. 



If irreducible torsion has occurred early in pregnancy, it is 

 possible, according to some writers, that infection may not reach 

 the uterus and its contents, and that as a result the fetus may 

 undergo mummification, in which instance the animal, if a meat- 

 producing one, may be fatted for the butcher and disposed of in 

 that way. 



In some instances, the fetus may undergo putrid decomposi- 

 tion and slough out through the abdominal floor or into the di- 

 gestive tract, and by a long and tedious process the animal may 

 eventually recover. But the economic loss is well-nigh total, be- 

 cause of the total loss of breeding power and the long time re- 

 quired for recovery. 



5. Caesarian Section. The chief hope in cases of irreduci- 

 ble torsion is Caesarian section, and the value of this should al- 

 ways be judiciously considered. Usually there can be no hope 

 for the life of the fetus, and the fertility of the mother is at an 

 end. We have left for consideration the question of the eco- 

 nomic value of the animal for meat, wool or labor ; or the .sen- 

 timental value of the saving of the life of the animal. Whether 

 we operate or not should be determined after considering all these 

 factors. The operation has already been described on page 663. 



Should gastro-hysterotomy be performed in torsion of the 

 uterus, it is to be remembered that the evacuated uterus must 

 not be completely closed and returned into the peritoneal cavity 

 unless the torsion has been reduced. If the torsion remains and 

 the uterine incision is closed, the escape of uterine excretions 

 is barred. The margins of the uterine incision may be .securely 

 sutured to the margins of the abdominal incision, thus providing 

 an avenue for the escape of uterine discharges externally. 

 Usually it would be preferable to amputate the di.seased cornua 

 and body of the organ, and secure the cervix to the margins of 

 the abdominal incision. In other cases the entire organ may be 

 amputated, with a portion of the vagina, the latter ligated and 

 returned into the pelvic cavity, and the abdominal incision com- 

 pletely closed. 



In the smaller animals, where one of the cornua undergoes 

 torsion, reduction is practically out of the question, and only 

 gastro-hysterotomy remains. 



