328 MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 



"With regard to the foetus itself, its condition varies with the length 

 of time %Yhich has elapsed since it perished, and also whether or not 

 the external air has had access to it. In some instances, even when it 

 has been dead for a long time, it will be fomid in a state of perfect pre- 

 servation ; in others it is in an advanced stage of putrefaction, the hair 

 and hoofs coming off readily, and the body swollen and emphysematous, 

 while the odour emitted is disgustingly powerful and foetid. 



In rare cases the foetus is mummified, and this may even occur when 

 it has attained its full development. 



Such is an outline of the pathological anatomy of this accident. 

 Numerous illustrations of the various lesions met with after death 

 might be furnished, but the above description applies to all. 



Treatment. 



The successful treatment of torsion of the uterus had, to the great 

 majority — indeed, to all — of the veterinary obstetrists of not long ago, 

 evidently appeared hopeless ; consequently, the animal suffering from 

 this accident was either left to die without succour, or was consigned 

 to the butcher if its carcase could be utilised for food. In some few 

 instances, the animal has recovered from the effects of the torsion, and 

 without reposition of the organ having been effected. After fruitless 

 efforts, the labour pains subside, the foetus dies and becomes mummified; 

 the Cow is in an ailing condition, perhaps, for some time, but rallies, 

 and may even regain its former condition, not unfrequently even yielding 

 a certain quantity of milk. 



In other cases the Cow becomes emaciated and miserable-looking, 

 gives no milk, and generally succumbs, after a variable period, to chronic 

 peritonitis. But in far more instances serious illness ensues at the very 

 commencement, and we have metritis and peritonitis, gangrene of the 

 uterus, putrefaction of the foetus, septicaemia, paraplegia, or other grave 

 conditions which quickly terminate life. 



In British veterinary literature successful attempts at delivery have 

 been recorded. 



On the Continent, although many cures have been published, yet they 

 only date from a comparatively recent day. Nevertheless, according to 

 Eainard,! Vieillard long ago (1823) succeeded in one instance in saving a 

 Cow and Calf, through having recourse to vaginal hysterotomy. In this 

 case there was inversion of the uterus, the cervix of which w^as extruded 

 beyond the vagina, and showed three markedly-salient spiral rings. He 

 experienced much difliculty in making convenient openings ; the exten- 

 sive incisions he was compelled to make, in order to remove the foetus, 

 became lacerations, and there was serious hiemorrhage. Yet the animal 

 made a good recovery. This formidable operation has not found an imi- 

 tator, and should not require one — except, perhaps, in a similar case, when 

 there is eversion of the vagina, so that the parts to be incised are visible. 



The principal — indeed, the sole — indication for the relief of this 

 accident is to untioist the uterus ; in doing this the cervix and os are 

 restored to their normal condition, and the vagina rendered patent, 

 while the uterus itself assumes its ordinary relations. 



Various methods — all of which have been attended with more or less 

 success in practice — have been devised to accomphsh this object. 



They are (1) Abdominal taxis ; (2) Vagi^ial hysterotomy ; (3) Vaginal 



1 Op. cit., vol. i., p. 240. 



